Former prime minister Boris Johnson has urged the UK and European allies to deploy non-combat troops to Ukraine immediately, stating that Western delays have emboldened Vladimir Putin. In an interview with the BBC's Laura Kuenssberg, Mr Johnson argued that stationing forces in peaceful regions would send a firm message to the Russian leader, who he believes will otherwise continue the conflict.
Mr Johnson questioned the logic of waiting for a ceasefire before deploying troops, suggesting that doing so cedes initiative to Putin. 'If we are willing to do it in the context of a ceasefire, which of course puts all the initiative, all the power, in Putin’s hands, why not do it now?' he said. He insisted that security guarantees could be provided during wartime as effectively as under a ceasefire.
The comments come ahead of the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion. Mr Johnson criticised the West for being 'too slow' in responding to Ukraine's needs, citing failures in Syria and Afghanistan that emboldened Putin. The Ministry of Defence responded by restating current policy, confirming that British troops would be deployed only after hostilities end, as part of a multinational force led by the UK.
Military strategists have warned that such a move could be seen by Russia as an escalation. President Putin has previously stated that Russia is ready for war if Europe wants it, and his government has warned that peacekeeping troops would be considered legitimate targets. Mr Johnson rejected these concerns, asserting that Ukraine's allies should act on their own terms, not Russia's.
