Coalition of Willing To Conduct Large-Scale Military Exercises in Poland This Fall

The countries of the Coalition of the Willing will conduct joint military exercises in Poland in October and November 2026.

French President Emmanuel Macron made this announcement during a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing in Kyiv on August 24.

According to him, the exercises are intended to demonstrate the coalition countries’ readiness to fulfill their future security commitments to Ukraine.

These exercises are part of the preparation of the Multinational Force Ukraine (MNF-U). A joint statement by the Coalition’s co-chairs notes that the allies will continue to prepare these forces for a possible deployment once a ceasefire is established.

The Coalition leaders also reaffirmed their intention to increase military support for Ukraine and identified strengthening its air defense as an urgent priority. They agreed to deepen cooperation with the Ukrainian defense industry and to exchange technologies, particularly regarding missile defense.

The allies also agreed to intensify sanctions pressure on the Russian defense industry and its partners.

According to their estimates, joint sanctions and economic measures since February 2022 have already cost Russia at least $495 billion.

Poland had previously announced preparations to host the first joint exercise of the Coalition of the Willing on its territory this fall. Polish Deputy Minister of National Defense Paweł Bejda stated that approximately 1,500 military personnel from the United Kingdom and France are expected to arrive in the country in September.

According to the Polish side, the exercises will primarily focus on the deployment of troops and military equipment.

The Coalition of the Willing called on Russia to agree to a complete, immediate, and unconditional ceasefire. At the same time, they reaffirmed Ukraine’s right to defend itself against Russian aggression in accordance with international law and Article 51 of the UN Charter.

The meeting participants also emphasized the need to support Ukraine’s economic stability and counter Russia’s attempts to reimpose a naval blockade on Ukrainian ports.

Separately, they agreed to strengthen restrictions against Russia’s shadow fleet and schemes to evade sanctions.