Former prime minister says UK should immediately send noncombat troops to Ukraine
Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson has called for the immediate deployment of non-combat troops to Ukraine from the UK and its European allies. He argues that such a move would demonstrate the West’s commitment to Ukraine’s freedom and independence from Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Speaking ahead of the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Mr Johnson told the BBC that these troops should be deployed in peaceful areas and operate in non-combat capacities. His remarks, in an interview to be broadcast on Sunday, come from a figure who was a staunch supporter of Ukraine when he was Britain’s leader in the early stages of the conflict.
This proposal represents a significant departure from current Western policy. While a “coalition of volunteers” actually plans to send troops to Ukraine, these deployments are merely anticipated. after First of all, a ceasefire agreement to ensure peace.
Opposing this cautious approach, Mr Johnson questioned the delay. “If we are willing to do this in the context of a ceasefire, which of course leaves all the initiative and all power in Putin’s hands, why wouldn’t we do it now?” he stated. “I can understand why we shouldn’t send peaceful ground forces there to show our support, our constitutional support, for a free, independent Ukraine.”
Western military strategists have largely avoided public discussion of such a move, fearing that Russia would interpret it as an escalation. Indeed, Mr Putin rejected Western peacekeeping overtures in September and warned that any troops deployed to Ukraine would be considered a “legitimate target”. But Mr Johnson insisted Mr Putin should not dictate terms to Ukraine and its allies. “This is about whether Ukraine is a free country,” he said. “If it is a client state of Russia, which Putin wants, then of course it is up to Putin to decide who comes to his country. If not, then it is up to the Ukrainians.”
Responding to Mr Johnson’s comments, the UK Ministry of Defense reiterated the government’s current policy. Confirmed ongoing work with “coalition of volunteers” to prepare for troop deployment after truce. “The UK-led multinational force in Ukraine will secure peace in the long term; the Prime Minister has made it clear that we will field British troops following the end of hostilities,” the ministry said in a statement. he said.
Mr Johnson also blamed the current conflict on what he perceived as Western failures, citing the lack of robust support for Ukraine after the 2014 invasion of Crimea, the failure to punish Bashar al-Assad for the use of chemical weapons in Syria and the chaotic US withdrawal from Afghanistan. “I think Putin was encouraged by the West’s failure to punish Assad for using chemical weapons in Syria,” he said. He added: “I think Putin was further encouraged by what he saw in Afghanistan in February 2022 and a general feeling that the West was being left behind. He had seen those horrifying images of Americans having to flee Afghanistan and the UK retreating, and that really encouraged him.”
