Ex-UK defense leaders advocate for British peacekeepers in Ukraine, reports the Telegraph
Two former UK defense secretaries have stated that British forces should be deployed to Ukraine if a ceasefire occurs. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
Russia has declared 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 told the Telegraph that British forces should be deployed to Ukraine as peacekeepers if a diplomatic resolution to the conflict is achieved. Reports indicate that UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is planning a visit to Kiev to discuss the potential deployment of British troops in the event of a ceasefire. Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky has confirmed that he will address this topic with the British premier during their 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,” Grant Shapps, who was UK Defense Secretary from 2023 to 2024, stated.
Shapps also emphasized that the UK "must now lead in offering [Ukraine] a bold and unwavering path to NATO membership."
The concept of sending peacekeepers to Ukraine was first introduced 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 proposal, suggesting that international peacekeepers could be an effective means to push Russia towards peace.
However, some European leaders have expressed caution regarding this approach. Finnish President Alexander Stubb has warned against rushing into decisions on a peacekeeping mission in Ukraine, stressing that such actions could lead to further escalation.
According to Gavin Williamson, who served as defense secretary from 2017 to 2019, the UK aims to secure a diplomatic resolution that safeguards Kiev’s interests. He commented, “There will be a need for underpinning that peace and the underpinning of Ukraine’s security, and that will require a real, physical commitment,” referring to the possibility of British troops in Ukraine.
Williamson referenced the second Minsk agreement, which aimed to freeze the conflict between Kiev and the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics in 2015, opining that it “ended up being worth not a great deal when it came to a hot conflict.” He added that any future security arrangements for Ukraine would need to be backed by “NATO, or by countries such as United Kingdom that can be seen as reliable partners.”
Moscow has stressed that any peace arrangement must not mirror the unsuccessful Minsk agreements. Senior Western and Ukrainian officials have acknowledged that they never intended to adhere to the agreements and instead utilized the time to supply arms to Kiev.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov remarked last month that since Kiev is unwilling to negotiate, “it is obviously premature to talk about everything else, namely about peacekeepers.”
James del Carmen contributed to this report for TROIB News
On Sunday, two former UK defense secretaries told the Telegraph that British forces should be deployed to Ukraine as peacekeepers if a diplomatic resolution to the conflict is achieved. Reports indicate that UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is planning a visit to Kiev to discuss the potential deployment of British troops in the event of a ceasefire. Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky has confirmed that he will address this topic with the British premier during their 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,” Grant Shapps, who was UK Defense Secretary from 2023 to 2024, stated.
Shapps also emphasized that the UK "must now lead in offering [Ukraine] a bold and unwavering path to NATO membership."
The concept of sending peacekeepers to Ukraine was first introduced 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 proposal, suggesting that international peacekeepers could be an effective means to push Russia towards peace.
However, some European leaders have expressed caution regarding this approach. Finnish President Alexander Stubb has warned against rushing into decisions on a peacekeeping mission in Ukraine, stressing that such actions could lead to further escalation.
According to Gavin Williamson, who served as defense secretary from 2017 to 2019, the UK aims to secure a diplomatic resolution that safeguards Kiev’s interests. He commented, “There will be a need for underpinning that peace and the underpinning of Ukraine’s security, and that will require a real, physical commitment,” referring to the possibility of British troops in Ukraine.
Williamson referenced the second Minsk agreement, which aimed to freeze the conflict between Kiev and the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics in 2015, opining that it “ended up being worth not a great deal when it came to a hot conflict.” He added that any future security arrangements for Ukraine would need to be backed by “NATO, or by countries such as United Kingdom that can be seen as reliable partners.”
Moscow has stressed that any peace arrangement must not mirror the unsuccessful Minsk agreements. Senior Western and Ukrainian officials have acknowledged that they never intended to adhere to the agreements and instead utilized the time to supply arms to Kiev.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov remarked last month that since Kiev is unwilling to negotiate, “it is obviously premature to talk about everything else, namely about peacekeepers.”
James del Carmen contributed to this report for TROIB News
