British troops ought to be a part of post-war peacekeeping drive in Ukraine, former defence ministers say | EUROtoday

Two former UK defence secretaries have joined requires British troops to type a part of a peacekeeping drive in a post-war Ukraine.

Boris Johnson, who was prime minister when Vladimir Putin launched Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, is amongst these to have not too long ago recommended that British troops ought to type a part of a European drive despatched to protect Ukraine’s border below any future ceasefire with Russia.

France’s Emmanuel Macron reportedly travelled to Warsaw in December to debate the thought with Donald Tusk, as Europe braces for Donald Trump’s incoming US administration to doubtlessly upend Western assist for Kyiv. But Poland’s PM was fast to make clear that no such plans had been on the desk.

Ahead of an anticipated assembly with Sir Keir Starmer, Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky instructed reporters this week that he plans to boost the problem in the course of the UK prime minister’s upcoming journey to Kyiv.

Speaking forward of the go to, two Conservative former defence secretaries – Grant Shapps and Sir Gavin Williamson – urged Sir Keir to decide to such a plan.

Sir Gavin, who held the put up for 18 months in Theresa May’s authorities, instructed the Telegraph: “It’s certainly something that I would support. We obviously all want to get to a situation where peace is restored in Ukraine, and it’s making sure that it’s only done in the interests of Ukraine.”

He added: “It’s going to be absolutely vital for the future that Ukraine security is underpinned by others, whether that is via Nato, or whether that is by countries such as United Kingdom that can be seen as reliable partners.”

Mr Shapps, who served as defence secretary for a 12 months till dropping his seat in July’s normal election, instructed the paper: “British troops contributing to a post-war peacekeeping force would undoubtedly be a welcome move, but it barely scratches the surface of what Ukraine truly needs.

“The UK has been at the forefront of supporting Ukraine against Putin’s barbaric and illegal invasion, and we must now lead in offering a bold and unwavering path to Nato membership. Anything less would be a betrayal of Ukraine’s courage and the principles we claim to stand for.”

As a part of his “victory plan” outlined in October, Mr Zelensky demanded an unconditional invitation to hitch the Western army alliance, and for Kyiv-controlled elements of Ukraine to be taken “under the Nato umbrella”, permitting him to barter the return of the remaining later “in a diplomatic way”.

Part three of Mr Zelensky’s five-point plan – through which he proposes “deterrence” by means of a “comprehensive non-nuclear strategic deterrence package” – accommodates a secret annexe shared solely with allies within the US, Britain, France, Italy, and Germany.

Mr Putin has sought to make use of Ukraine’s nearer ties with Nato as justification for launching his invasion, and Russia’s international ministry responded to Mr Zelensky’s plan by accusing Kyiv of “pushing Nato into direct conflict with our country”.

Western intelligence estimates have put the battle’s general casualty toll at a couple of million since Mr Putin’s invasion on 24 February 2022, with Russian losses claimed to have surpassed 2,000 a day in current months as Mr Putin seeks to impose most beneficial properties forward of Mr Trump’s inauguration.

Sir Keir has repeatedly insisted his authorities’s assist for Ukraine is “iron-clad”, and shortly after taking workplace succeeded in a push for Nato to verify Kyiv’s “irreversible” path to membership.