This is a photo collection curated by AP photo editors.
Patrons cross the ninth fairway during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Will Zalatoris works on his short game on the putting green during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Scottie Scheffler drinks on the practice green during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
From left, Dean Emerson, caddie for Patton Kizzire, Michael Cromie, caddie for Chris Kirk, and Joe Etter, caddie for Davis Thompson wait on the second green during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The bag of Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, sits on the driving range during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Jhonattan Vegas, of Venezuela, and caddie Oscar Ruben Yorio, left, stand on the seventh green during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Thriston Lawrence, of South Africa, sets his ball on the fourth tee during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Collin Morikawa greets fans on the 15th fairway during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Hiroshi Tai, of Singapore, grabs his towel on the driving range during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Brooks Koepka, left, and Fred Couples speak on the 10th green during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Akshay Bhatia picks up his ball on the putting green during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Matt McCarty and Maverick McNealy, right, walks up the 15th fairway during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
A patron dons a Masters pin on their hat during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Caddie Jonathan Jakovac, left, hands Collin Morikawa his club in the bunker on the 10th green during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
A patron smokes a cigar while watching a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Scottie Scheffler hits from the bunker on the practice green during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Nick Dunlap hits from the 11th tee during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
Scottie Scheffler hits his tee shot on the 12th hole during a practice around at the Masters golf tournament, Wednesday, April 9, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, flips his ball on the 13th green during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
Caddie Michael Greller holds an umbrella for Jordan Spieth on the driving range during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Monday, April 7, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
An officials places a weather warning sign on the driving range as Jordan Spieth, left, hits during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Monday, April 7, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
An official places a weather warning sign on the driving range during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Monday, April 7, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Matthieu Pavon, of France, walks to the 13th green during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Monday, April 7, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Min Woo Lee, of Australia, left, greets Kevin Yu, of Taiwan, on the practice green during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Monday, April 7, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Shota Hayafuji, caddie for Hideki Matsuyama, of Japan, picks up balls on the 16th green during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Monday, April 7, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Collin Morikawa chips onto the practice green during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Monday, April 7, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Scottie Scheffler chips on the practice range during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Monday, April 7, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
A play suspended warning is displayed as an official updates times during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Monday, April 7, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Patrons exit after play was suspend to due weather after a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Monday, April 7, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Patrons along the eighth fairway during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Monday, April 7, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
A rain droplet falls on a Masters logo cut out during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Monday, April 7, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Evan Beck hits from the driving range during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Monday, April 7, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Matthieu Pavon, of France, hits from the 10th tee during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Monday, April 7, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Jordan Spieth stretches on the driving range as caddie Michael Greller, left, looks down range during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Monday, April 7, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Matthieu Pavon, of France, walks up the 10th fairway during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Monday, April 7, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Joel Stock, caddie for Will Zalatoris, walks on the 11th fairway during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Monday, April 7, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Patrons walks down the second fairway during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Monday, April 7, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Nicolas Echavarria, of Colombia, smiles as he walks on the driving range during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Monday, April 7, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Keegan Bradley stretches on the driving range during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Monday, April 7, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Shane Lowry, of Ireland, walks on the practice green during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Monday, April 7, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Joel Stock, caddie for Will Zalatoris, walks on the 11th fairway during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Monday, April 7, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Shane Lowry, of Ireland, picks up a towel on the practice green during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Monday, April 7, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Matt Fitzpatrick, of England, takes off his sweater during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Monday, April 7, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Patrons walk past the scoreboard as they arrive for a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Monday, April 7, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
A Masters gnome sits on the grass during a practice around at the Masters golf tournament, Monday, April 7, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Jose Maria Olazabal, of Spain, warms up on the driving range during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Monday, April 7, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Byeong Hun An, of South Korea, talks with caddie Justin York, right, during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Monday, April 7, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Thomas Detry, of Belgium, stretches during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Monday, April 7, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Caddies Joe Skovron, left, and Sam Pinfold wait for their players to arrive on the ninth tee during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Monday, April 7, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Patrons arrive for a practice around at the Masters golf tournament, Monday, April 7, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
Madelene Sagstrom putts on the 13th green during the final round of the LPGA T-Mobile Match Play golf tournament Sunday, April 6, 2025, in North Las Vegas, Nev. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Karlee Lambert, left, and Kaylee Aiken have their picture taken in front of the scoreboard during a practice around at the Masters golf tournament, Monday, April 7, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Rain drops gather atop a Masters logo cut out during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Monday, April 7, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Patrons arrive for a practice around at the Masters golf tournament, Monday, April 7, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Byeong Hun An, of South Korea, hits on the driving range during a practice around at the Masters golf tournament, Monday, April 7, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Lauren Coughlin chips onto the 15th green during the final round of the LPGA T-Mobile Match Play golf tournament Sunday, April 6, 2025, in North Las Vegas, Nev. (AP Photo/John Locher)
A patron walks past the scoreboard during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Monday, April 7, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Patrons carry a Masters gnome during a practice around at the Masters golf tournament, Monday, April 7, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Joe Skovron, caddie for Ludvig Aberg, of Sweden, walks to the ninth tee during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Monday, April 7, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Patrons cross the first fairway during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Monday, April 7, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Byeong Hun An, of South Korea, hits from the driving range during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Monday, April 7, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Byeong Hun An, of South Korea, shown through a Masters logo cut out, hits from the driving range during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Monday, April 7, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
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From left, Dean Emerson, caddie for Patton Kizzire, Michael Cromie, caddie for Chris Kirk, and Joe Etter, caddie for Davis Thompson wait on the second green during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Min Woo Lee, of Australia, left, greets Kevin Yu, of Taiwan, on the practice green during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Monday, April 7, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Patrons cross the ninth fairway during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Will Zalatoris works on his short game on the putting green during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Scottie Scheffler drinks on the practice green during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
From left, Dean Emerson, caddie for Patton Kizzire, Michael Cromie, caddie for Chris Kirk, and Joe Etter, caddie for Davis Thompson wait on the second green during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
The bag of Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, sits on the driving range during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Jhonattan Vegas, of Venezuela, and caddie Oscar Ruben Yorio, left, stand on the seventh green during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Thriston Lawrence, of South Africa, sets his ball on the fourth tee during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Collin Morikawa greets fans on the 15th fairway during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Hiroshi Tai, of Singapore, grabs his towel on the driving range during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Brooks Koepka, left, and Fred Couples speak on the 10th green during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Akshay Bhatia picks up his ball on the putting green during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Matt McCarty and Maverick McNealy, right, walks up the 15th fairway during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
A patron dons a Masters pin on their hat during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Caddie Jonathan Jakovac, left, hands Collin Morikawa his club in the bunker on the 10th green during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
A patron smokes a cigar while watching a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Scottie Scheffler hits from the bunker on the practice green during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Nick Dunlap hits from the 11th tee during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
Scottie Scheffler hits his tee shot on the 12th hole during a practice around at the Masters golf tournament, Wednesday, April 9, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
Rory McIlroy, of Northern Ireland, flips his ball on the 13th green during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
Caddie Michael Greller holds an umbrella for Jordan Spieth on the driving range during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Monday, April 7, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
An officials places a weather warning sign on the driving range as Jordan Spieth, left, hits during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Monday, April 7, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
An official places a weather warning sign on the driving range during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Monday, April 7, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Matthieu Pavon, of France, walks to the 13th green during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Monday, April 7, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Min Woo Lee, of Australia, left, greets Kevin Yu, of Taiwan, on the practice green during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Monday, April 7, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Shota Hayafuji, caddie for Hideki Matsuyama, of Japan, picks up balls on the 16th green during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Monday, April 7, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Collin Morikawa chips onto the practice green during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Monday, April 7, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Scottie Scheffler chips on the practice range during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Monday, April 7, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
A play suspended warning is displayed as an official updates times during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Monday, April 7, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Patrons exit after play was suspend to due weather after a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Monday, April 7, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Patrons along the eighth fairway during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Monday, April 7, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
A rain droplet falls on a Masters logo cut out during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Monday, April 7, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Evan Beck hits from the driving range during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Monday, April 7, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Matthieu Pavon, of France, hits from the 10th tee during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Monday, April 7, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Jordan Spieth stretches on the driving range as caddie Michael Greller, left, looks down range during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Monday, April 7, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Matthieu Pavon, of France, walks up the 10th fairway during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Monday, April 7, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Joel Stock, caddie for Will Zalatoris, walks on the 11th fairway during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Monday, April 7, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Patrons walks down the second fairway during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Monday, April 7, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Nicolas Echavarria, of Colombia, smiles as he walks on the driving range during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Monday, April 7, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Keegan Bradley stretches on the driving range during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Monday, April 7, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Shane Lowry, of Ireland, walks on the practice green during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Monday, April 7, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Joel Stock, caddie for Will Zalatoris, walks on the 11th fairway during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Monday, April 7, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Shane Lowry, of Ireland, picks up a towel on the practice green during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Monday, April 7, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Matt Fitzpatrick, of England, takes off his sweater during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Monday, April 7, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Patrons walk past the scoreboard as they arrive for a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Monday, April 7, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
A Masters gnome sits on the grass during a practice around at the Masters golf tournament, Monday, April 7, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Jose Maria Olazabal, of Spain, warms up on the driving range during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Monday, April 7, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Byeong Hun An, of South Korea, talks with caddie Justin York, right, during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Monday, April 7, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Thomas Detry, of Belgium, stretches during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Monday, April 7, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Caddies Joe Skovron, left, and Sam Pinfold wait for their players to arrive on the ninth tee during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Monday, April 7, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Patrons arrive for a practice around at the Masters golf tournament, Monday, April 7, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
Madelene Sagstrom putts on the 13th green during the final round of the LPGA T-Mobile Match Play golf tournament Sunday, April 6, 2025, in North Las Vegas, Nev. (AP Photo/John Locher)
Karlee Lambert, left, and Kaylee Aiken have their picture taken in front of the scoreboard during a practice around at the Masters golf tournament, Monday, April 7, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Rain drops gather atop a Masters logo cut out during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Monday, April 7, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Patrons arrive for a practice around at the Masters golf tournament, Monday, April 7, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Byeong Hun An, of South Korea, hits on the driving range during a practice around at the Masters golf tournament, Monday, April 7, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Lauren Coughlin chips onto the 15th green during the final round of the LPGA T-Mobile Match Play golf tournament Sunday, April 6, 2025, in North Las Vegas, Nev. (AP Photo/John Locher)
A patron walks past the scoreboard during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Monday, April 7, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Patrons carry a Masters gnome during a practice around at the Masters golf tournament, Monday, April 7, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Joe Skovron, caddie for Ludvig Aberg, of Sweden, walks to the ninth tee during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Monday, April 7, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Patrons cross the first fairway during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Monday, April 7, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
Byeong Hun An, of South Korea, hits from the driving range during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Monday, April 7, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Byeong Hun An, of South Korea, shown through a Masters logo cut out, hits from the driving range during a practice round at the Masters golf tournament, Monday, April 7, 2025, in Augusta, Ga. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
BRUSSELS (AP) — Britain and France are convening a meeting of defense ministers from around 30 countries on Thursday to press ahead with plans to deploy troops to Ukraine to police any future peace agreement with Russia.
The meeting at NATO headquarters — the first between defense ministers representing the so-called coalition of the willing — comes after a visit to Kyiv last week by senior British and French military officers. It's expected to work on fleshing out an agreement reached at an earlier meeting between leaders.
As usual with coalition gatherings, the United States will not take part, but the success of the coalition’s operation hinges on U.S. backup with airpower or other military assistance. However, the Trump administration has made no public commitment that it will do so.
Amid that uncertainty and U.S. warnings that Europe must take care of its own security and that of Ukraine in future, the force is seen as a first test of the continent’s willingness to defend itself and its interests.
Its make-up will depend on the nature of any peace agreement, but the contingent is unlikely to be stationed at Ukraine's border with Russia. It would be located further from the ceasefire line, perhaps even outside Ukraine, and deploy to counter any Russian attack.
Building a force big enough to act as a credible deterrent is proving a considerable effort for nations that shrank their militaries after the Cold War but are now rearming. U.K. officials have talked about possibly 10,000 to 30,000 troops.
Countries are also reluctant to contribute personnel without U.S. support.
Ukrainian government officials and military analysts have said that Russian forces are preparing to launch a fresh military offensive in Ukraine in the coming weeks to maximize pressure on Kyiv and strengthen the Kremlin’s negotiating position in ceasefire talks.
On Friday, representatives from around 50 nations will gather at NATO to drum up military support for Ukraine. That meeting will be chaired by Britain and Germany. U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is not expected to take part.
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, left, French President Emmanuel Macron, right, and Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer speak during a trilateral meeting on the sidelines of a summit for "coalition of the willing" at the Elysee Palace, Thursday, March 27, 2025. (Ludovic Marin, Pool via AP)