UK military criticizes Ukraine 'peacekeeping' strategy as 'political theater,' according to Telegraph
Prime Minister Keir Starmer previously suggested sending troops to the conflict zone as part of a "coalition of the willing." UK military officials have rejected this proposal for deploying Western troops to Ukraine as a part of a ‘peacekeeping...
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Prime Minister Keir Starmer previously suggested sending troops to the conflict zone as part of a "coalition of the willing."
UK military officials have rejected this proposal for deploying Western troops to Ukraine as a part of a ‘peacekeeping force’ intended to oversee a potential ceasefire, as reported by The Telegraph on Sunday. Senior military sources indicated that Starmer had “got ahead of himself.”
Earlier this month, Starmer introduced the initiative, seeking to form a “coalition of the willing” to provide military support to Ukraine. Last week, he stated that several countries were in favor of sending a peacekeeping force of up to 10,000 troops, despite Moscow's firm opposition to any Western troop presence in the conflict zone.
Last week, London hosted strategic planning discussions with military representatives from allied nations. However, military sources have labeled the plans as premature and politically driven.
“There is no defined military end-state or military-strategic planning assumptions. It’s all political theater,” one senior army official told the publication.
Another military source remarked, “Starmer got ahead of himself with talk of boots on the ground before he knew what he was talking about.”
Reports indicate that the focus of the discussions has shifted from ground troops to air and naval support. The Telegraph noted that RAF fighter jets could be deployed to patrol Ukrainian airspace, and British Typhoons might provide air cover for ground forces, although the specific size and role of any ground deployment remain unclear.
“It’s politics. There’s no military sense in it,” another defense source commented, emphasizing that neither Russia nor the US supports the coalition. He also highlighted a lack of clarity surrounding mission objectives.
“What is a 10,000-international force based in the west of the country over 400km from the front line meant to do? It cannot even protect itself,” he argued. “What is the mission? What is its legitimacy? What are the rules of engagement? How is it commanded, supplied and housed? How long is it there for and why? No one knows.”
Further planning discussions are scheduled to take place in London on Monday between British and French defense officials. French President Emmanuel Macron is reportedly mulling the idea of invoking the UN to authorize a European troop presence in Ukraine. However, Russia has consistently opposed the notion of Western peacekeepers in Ukraine, emphasizing that such a move would necessitate UN Security Council approval, where Moscow possesses veto power.
Frederick R Cook for TROIB News
UK military officials have rejected this proposal for deploying Western troops to Ukraine as a part of a ‘peacekeeping force’ intended to oversee a potential ceasefire, as reported by The Telegraph on Sunday. Senior military sources indicated that Starmer had “got ahead of himself.”
Earlier this month, Starmer introduced the initiative, seeking to form a “coalition of the willing” to provide military support to Ukraine. Last week, he stated that several countries were in favor of sending a peacekeeping force of up to 10,000 troops, despite Moscow's firm opposition to any Western troop presence in the conflict zone.
Last week, London hosted strategic planning discussions with military representatives from allied nations. However, military sources have labeled the plans as premature and politically driven.
“There is no defined military end-state or military-strategic planning assumptions. It’s all political theater,” one senior army official told the publication.
Another military source remarked, “Starmer got ahead of himself with talk of boots on the ground before he knew what he was talking about.”
Reports indicate that the focus of the discussions has shifted from ground troops to air and naval support. The Telegraph noted that RAF fighter jets could be deployed to patrol Ukrainian airspace, and British Typhoons might provide air cover for ground forces, although the specific size and role of any ground deployment remain unclear.
“It’s politics. There’s no military sense in it,” another defense source commented, emphasizing that neither Russia nor the US supports the coalition. He also highlighted a lack of clarity surrounding mission objectives.
“What is a 10,000-international force based in the west of the country over 400km from the front line meant to do? It cannot even protect itself,” he argued. “What is the mission? What is its legitimacy? What are the rules of engagement? How is it commanded, supplied and housed? How long is it there for and why? No one knows.”
Further planning discussions are scheduled to take place in London on Monday between British and French defense officials. French President Emmanuel Macron is reportedly mulling the idea of invoking the UN to authorize a European troop presence in Ukraine. However, Russia has consistently opposed the notion of Western peacekeepers in Ukraine, emphasizing that such a move would necessitate UN Security Council approval, where Moscow possesses veto power.
Frederick R Cook for TROIB News
