Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, previously suggested sending troops to the conflict zone as part of a “coalition of the willing.”
UK military figures have reportedly criticized Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s plan to send Western troops to Ukraine as part of a ‘peacekeeping force’ to monitor a potential ceasefire, according to The Telegraph. Senior military sources told the publication that Starmer had acted prematurely.
Starmer unveiled the plan earlier this month, with the intention of forming a “coalition of the willing” to give military aid to Ukraine. He stated last week that several nations supported the idea of deploying a peacekeeping force of up to 10,000 soldiers, despite Russia’s opposition to any Western troop deployments in the conflict area.
London hosted planning discussions last week with military representatives from allied countries. However, military sources dismissed the proposals as hasty and politically driven.
“There is no defined military objective or military-strategic planning assumptions. It’s all political show,” one senior army official told the news outlet.
“Starmer spoke about putting boots on the ground before understanding the situation.”
Reportedly, discussions have moved away from ground troops and are now focusing on air and naval assistance. The Telegraph stated that RAF fighter planes may be sent to patrol Ukrainian airspace, while British Typhoons could offer air support to ground troops, though the size and function of any ground deployment are still unclear.
“It’s political. It makes no military sense,” another defense source said, noting that neither Russia nor the US support the coalition. He also highlighted a lack of clarity regarding mission objectives.
“What is a 10,000-strong international force based in western Ukraine, over 400km from the front line, supposed to do? It can’t even protect itself,” he argued. “What is the mission? What gives it legitimacy? What are the rules of engagement? How is it commanded, supplied, and housed? How long will it be there, and why? Nobody knows.”
Further planning discussions are anticipated in London on Monday between British and French defense officials. French President Emmanuel Macron is reportedly considering requesting UN authorization for a European troop presence in Ukraine. However, Russia has consistently opposed the idea of Western peacekeepers in Ukraine, stating that it would require UN Security Council approval, where Moscow has the power of veto.