Times: Britain is ready to deploy troops in Ukraine for as long as it takes to deter Russia
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is ready to deploy thousands of British soldiers to Ukraine for the period necessary to preserve the peace agreement and deter Russia.
According to Censor.NET, citing NV, a high-ranking government source told The Times.
"This will be a long-term commitment, we are talking about years... As long as it takes to preserve the peace agreement and deter Russia," the source said.
The article also notes that about six countries, including the United Kingdom, France, Turkey, Canada and Australia, are discussing plans to send up to 30,000 soldiers to Ukraine. Other countries are willing to help with weapons and logistics.
The heads of the defense ministries of the "coalition of the willing" will reportedly meet in London on March 20 to discuss "in great detail" where the peacekeeping force should be deployed. It is not yet clear whether the peacekeepers will be allowed to open fire on Russian soldiers in the event of an attack. These and other nuances will be discussed in the coming days, the source said.
The newspaper writes that peacekeepers can be sent to Ukraine only after a ceasefire. Approval of this agreement "may be close" given the close contacts between US representatives and Russia and the conversation between President Donald Trump and dictator Vladimir Putin, which is expected on March 18.
Earlier it was reported that the UK may send 10 thousand troops to Ukraine.
Peacekeeping forces in Ukraine
Earlier it was reported that French President Emmanuel Macron would discuss with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk the deployment of peacekeeping forces in Ukraine if an agreement is reached to end the current phase of the war between Russia and Ukraine.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk denied that Polish troops would be sent to Ukraine after the ceasefire.
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas assessed the possibility of sending a European peacekeeping mission to Ukraine.
Italian Defense Minister Guido Crozetto expressed his readiness to support a peacekeeping mission to Ukraine if peace is achieved.
In turn, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani called these discussions "premature."
Germany, together with its partners, will consider the possible deployment of peacekeepers in Ukraine as part of "security guarantees" only after the conditions are created, namely a ceasefire with Russia.
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry has stated that several countries are currently considering participation in a potential contingent of Western allies in Ukraine. However, specific plans for the deployment of foreign troops are still under discussion.
