Russia has issued a stark warning that any deployment of British troops in Ukraine would prolong the conflict rather than bring it to an end. The statement from Moscow came after both France and Britain indicated an intention to send forces to Ukraine once a ceasefire with Russia is established.
Maria Zakharova, Russia's foreign ministry spokeswoman, directly addressed recent comments made by Defence Minister John Healey. Responding to Mr Healey's statement that he wanted to be the Defence Secretary who deploys British troops to Ukraine because it would mean the war is finally over, Ms Zakharova said: 'Contrary to Healey's misconception, the deployment of British troops to Ukraine will not mean the end of the war, but rather a prolongation of the conflict and an increase in the risk of a large-scale military confrontation involving many more states.' She reiterated Russia's long-standing warning that it would consider any foreign troops on Ukrainian soil as legitimate targets.
Mr Healey had written in a newspaper article: 'I want to be the Defence Secretary who deploys British troops to Ukraine - because this will mean that this war is finally over. It will mean we have negotiated peace in Ukraine. And a secure Europe needs a strong, sovereign Ukraine.' The Defence Secretary also announced the UK will spend £200 million preparing British troops for deployment to Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire with Russia. The money will pay for upgrades to vehicles and communications systems, counter-drone protection and other equipment.
Speaking on the fourth anniversary of the war, Mr Healey said the conflict had been 'four years of failure for Putin'. He added: 'This is a war he thought he would win in a week, he has lost more than a million men during that time and Russia has been fighting in Ukraine for longer than the Soviet Union was fighting Germany during the Second World War.' Mr Healey expressed hope that 2026 would be the year the war ends and that the UK is ready to play a part in securing peace for the long term.
