Countries cannot be “dragooned” into joining a coalition aimed at protecting potential peace in Ukraine, Cabinet Office Minister Pat McFadden has said. The UK and France have been spearheading efforts to establish a “coalition of the willing” to deter Russia from further invading Ukraine, in the event of a peace deal. Earlier this week, UK officials said about 20 countries were interested in being involved, although not every nation would necessarily send troops to Ukraine. Norway’s foreign minister said his country was “happy to contribute in one way or the other” but had not made a decision. Russia has rejected the idea of Western troops in Ukraine, saying it “can’t be allowed”. The US and Ukraine will meet next week in Saudi Arabia to discuss a possible peace agreement. The US has suspended military and intelligence assistance to Ukraine, in a move it hopes will put pressure on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to agree to a ceasefire.
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