Britain and France will take the lead in policing Ukraine’s skies and seas under a new plan triggered if a ceasefire is signed with Russia.

According to The Telegraph, the two countries will also train Ukrainian troops as part of a slimmed-down version of the proposed “Multinational Force Ukraine”, announced by Sir Keir Starmer.

Under the plans, the force will be based in Paris during its first year of operations, with the HQ later rotating to London.

The proposals mark a significant step back from initial ideas for a “Coalition of the Willing”, which would have seen tens of thousands of European troops deployed to protect Ukraine’s cities, nuclear plants and vital infrastructure.

That original strategy collapsed due to a lack of troop commitments and growing concern that such a move could provoke Russian President Vladimir Putin into direct conflict with NATO.

The announcement followed a key meeting of the coalition – attended by the United States for the first time – coinciding with French President Emmanuel Macron’s state visit to Britain.

The announcement appears to contradict a statement made by Defence Secretary John Healey this week where he outlined how France and the UK were expected to provide the bulk of the military force under plans to support Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire with Russia.

Healey confirmed that the proposals would involve British soldiers being sent to Ukraine.

Speaking to Times Radio, Mr Healey was asked directly: “Does it still include the possibility of sending troops to Ukraine to support a ceasefire?”

He replied: “Yes. The prime minister has always been clear that he’s ready to put troops into Ukraine to help reinforce a ceasefire.”

However, with no ceasefire in sight, countries involved admitted they would now focus efforts on supplying weapons to Ukraine instead of deploying troops.

Speaking at a press conference alongside Mr Macron, the Prime Minister said: “We have just co-chaired a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing – including representatives from the United States – for the first time.

“We announced plans for a new ‘Multinational Force Ukraine’, headquartered in Paris, so that we’re ready to support a peace deal when it comes.

“But while Putin turns his back on peace, we are rallying more support for Ukraine right now … to defend their people – and force Putin to the table.”

Once a ceasefire is reached, the UK-France-led coalition plans to send military trainers and logistical experts to help rebuild Ukraine’s war-hit armed forces.

Coalition aircraft will partner with Ukraine’s air force to secure the skies and restart commercial flights. In the Black Sea, a naval task force led by Turkey, Bulgaria and Romania will be reinforced to clear mines and protect shipping routes into Ukrainian ports.

But President Macron made clear on Thursday that new Franco-British nuclear deterrent coordination would not stretch to protecting any European troops sent into Ukraine. He described it as a “totally different” agreement, separate from any reassurance force.

That lack of nuclear guarantees, coupled with the US refusal to back the mission, may worry countries considering sending personnel into Ukraine.

For now, the multinational force is being delayed as European nations shift focus toward arming Ukrainian forces directly.

In a joint statement, coalition nations confirmed they had “agreed that, while Russia’s aggression continues,” they “would prioritise making sure that Ukraine gets the military and financial support it needs to defend itself in the fight now.”