Ex-UK defense chiefs call for deployment of soldiers to Ukraine
Two former UK defense secretaries have stated that British forces ought to be deployed to Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
Russia has stated that it is "premature" to discuss a peacekeeping mission due to Kiev's refusal to engage in talks with Moscow.
On Sunday, two former UK defense secretaries urged that British forces should be deployed to Ukraine as peacekeepers, should the conflict reach a diplomatic resolution, according to the Telegraph.
Reportedly, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer plans to visit Kiev to discuss the potential deployment of British troops in the event of a ceasefire. Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has confirmed that he will address this topic with the British premier during their upcoming meeting.
"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," remarked Grant Shapps, who held the position of UK Defense Secretary from 2023 to 2024.
He further emphasized that the UK "must now lead in offering [Ukraine] a bold and unwavering path to NATO membership."
The proposition of sending peacekeepers to Ukraine was initially made by French President Emmanuel Macron in February 2024. He proposed that European nations could deploy troops to ensure security during a ceasefire and support the peace process.
Zelensky has expressed a willingness to consider the idea, noting that international peacekeepers could serve as a strong instrument to push Russia toward peace.
Yet, some European leaders are advocating for caution. Finnish President Alexander Stubb has warned against rushing into decisions regarding a peacekeeping mission in Ukraine, cautioning that such moves could escalate tensions.
According to Gavin Williamson, who served as defense secretary from 2017 to 2019, the UK aims to secure a diplomatic resolution to the conflict that safeguards Kiev's interests. He stated, "There will be a need for underpinning that peace and the underpinning of Ukraine’s security, and that will require a real, physical commitment," when discussing the potential presence of British troops in Ukraine.
Williamson also referenced the second Minsk agreement, which established a ceasefire in 2015 between Kiev and the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics, noting that it "ended up being worth not a great deal when it came to a hot conflict." He added that in the case of a truce, Ukraine's security must be supported by "NATO, or by countries such as the United Kingdom that can be seen as reliable partners."
Moscow has maintained that any peace agreement must not resemble the poorly executed Minsk accords. Senior Western and Ukrainian officials have subsequently admitted they had no intention of abiding by the agreements, instead using the time to bolster Kiev's military capabilities.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated last month that, since Kiev is unwilling to negotiate, "it is obviously premature to talk about everything else, namely about peacekeepers."
James del Carmen for TROIB News
On Sunday, two former UK defense secretaries urged that British forces should be deployed to Ukraine as peacekeepers, should the conflict reach a diplomatic resolution, according to the Telegraph.
Reportedly, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer plans to visit Kiev to discuss the potential deployment of British troops in the event of a ceasefire. Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has confirmed that he will address this topic with the British premier during their upcoming meeting.
"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," remarked Grant Shapps, who held the position of UK Defense Secretary from 2023 to 2024.
He further emphasized that the UK "must now lead in offering [Ukraine] a bold and unwavering path to NATO membership."
The proposition of sending peacekeepers to Ukraine was initially made by French President Emmanuel Macron in February 2024. He proposed that European nations could deploy troops to ensure security during a ceasefire and support the peace process.
Zelensky has expressed a willingness to consider the idea, noting that international peacekeepers could serve as a strong instrument to push Russia toward peace.
Yet, some European leaders are advocating for caution. Finnish President Alexander Stubb has warned against rushing into decisions regarding a peacekeeping mission in Ukraine, cautioning that such moves could escalate tensions.
According to Gavin Williamson, who served as defense secretary from 2017 to 2019, the UK aims to secure a diplomatic resolution to the conflict that safeguards Kiev's interests. He stated, "There will be a need for underpinning that peace and the underpinning of Ukraine’s security, and that will require a real, physical commitment," when discussing the potential presence of British troops in Ukraine.
Williamson also referenced the second Minsk agreement, which established a ceasefire in 2015 between Kiev and the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics, noting that it "ended up being worth not a great deal when it came to a hot conflict." He added that in the case of a truce, Ukraine's security must be supported by "NATO, or by countries such as the United Kingdom that can be seen as reliable partners."
Moscow has maintained that any peace agreement must not resemble the poorly executed Minsk accords. Senior Western and Ukrainian officials have subsequently admitted they had no intention of abiding by the agreements, instead using the time to bolster Kiev's military capabilities.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated last month that, since Kiev is unwilling to negotiate, "it is obviously premature to talk about everything else, namely about peacekeepers."
James del Carmen for TROIB News
