A Western peacekeeping force, potentially numbering up to 30,000 troops, may be stationed in Ukraine for an extended period.
The UK is reportedly considering deploying thousands of soldiers to Ukraine “for years” as part of a Western peacekeeping mission intended to ensure compliance with a future ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, according to The Times, which cited unnamed sources. This proposal was allegedly presented by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer during a virtual meeting of the ‘coalition of the willing’ on Saturday.
Starmer initially announced the coalition plans alongside France earlier in the month, seeking to unite nations willing to maintain military support for Ukraine amid concerns about possible reductions in US aid. During a press briefing following Saturday’s meeting, Starmer stated that numerous partner nations support the idea of deploying a peacekeeping force, with UK Defense Secretary John Healey scheduled to meet with military leaders in London this week to discuss specifics, including troop numbers and deployment timelines.
The Times reports that the force could consist of up to 30,000 troops, with the UK and France providing the majority. An unnamed senior official indicated that the British deployment, in particular, would have no set end date.
“It would be a long-term commitment, we are talking about years. As long as it takes to preserve a peace deal and deter Russia,” the official stated.
Starmer clarified, however, that the troops would only be deployed after Russia and Ukraine reach a peace agreement, with the aim of monitoring and enforcing it. When asked if the peacekeeping force would be authorized to engage Russian forces, Starmer declined to comment, stating that this and other issues would be discussed in the coming days.
Russia has firmly opposed any Western military presence in Ukraine. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated last month that the idea is “completely unacceptable to Russia” due to security risks. Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, currently the deputy chair of Russia’s Security Council, warned on Sunday that the deployment of NATO forces, even under a peacekeeping mandate, would lead to direct war between Russia and the military alliance.
Starmer’s coalition discussions coincide with US-Russian efforts to negotiate a ceasefire in Ukraine. US President Donald Trump has stated that he intends to discuss the possibility of a peace agreement in the Ukraine conflict with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, on Tuesday.
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