British troops could remain in Ukraine for “years” if Sir Keir Starmer is successful in securing a peacekeeping mission to protect a ceasefire deal. A senior government source revealed that the peace plan, which is likely to involve other Kyiv allies, is currently open-ended and will go on for “as long as it takes”. They told The Times: “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.”
This could be part of a commitment by the “coalition of the willing” – a partnership of Ukraine’s allies – to ensure Russia does not break the terms of a future ceasefire or launch another invasion. Some of the member nations could send up to 30,000 troops to Ukraine, while others could assist with military aid in the form of weapons and logistics.
A source said the peacekeeping force could be in Ukraine for ‘years’. (Image: Getty)
The Prime Minister has not yet disclosed the “rules of engagement” for such a peacekeeping mission, but this is likely to be discussed on Thursday during the next meeting of the coalition.
The London meeting will explore “in great specificty” the potential locations to send troops to protect a ceasefire “in the air and at sea”.
However, Russia has repeatedly maintained it would not accept foreign troops involved in the conflict.
Most recently, Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chairman of the Security Council of Russia, threatened a “war with NATO” over a peacekeeping mission in Ukraine.
He wrote on X: “Macron and Starmer are playing dumb. Time and again they are told that peacekeepers must be from non-NATO states.”
Repeating the Russian propaganda claim that the Ukrainian government is riddled with neo-Nazi Russia wants to eradicate, he added: “No, we will send tens of thousands – just lay it out – you want to give military aid to the neo-Nazis in Kiev. That means war with NATO.”
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko added that any force sent to Ukraine must be “unarmed”.
He said: “We absolutely do not care under what label NATO contingents may be deployed on the territory of Ukraine: be it the European Union, NATO or in a national capacity.
“In any case, if they appear there, it means that they are deployed in a conflict zone with all the consequences for these contingents as a party to the conflict.”
