Boris Johnson called for non-combat troops to be sent to Ukraine immediately
In an interview with BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, Boris Johnson said that the UK and its allies should deploy non-combat troops to Ukraine to perform functions in peaceful regions. He noted that if there is a plan to deploy troops after the ceasefire, there is no logical reason not to do so now.
According to Johnson, such forces would not take part in combat operations, but their presence would be political in nature and demonstrate support for a free and independent Ukraine. He stressed that the decision on the presence of foreign troops should depend on Ukraine, not Russia.
In September last year, Vladimir Putin stated that any troops deployed in Ukraine would become legitimate targets. British Defence Minister John Healey wrote in The Telegraph on Sunday that he was ready to send British troops after a peace agreement was reached. He did not support the idea of deploying troops during the active phase of the war.
The British Ministry of Defence said the government continues to support Ukraine, including by providing record levels of military aid and working with more than 30 countries within the London-led Coalition of the Willing.
