The UK government has announced plans to form a “coalition of the willing” involving more than 30 countries to support Ukraine with peacekeeping troops.
This initiative, confirmed by a spokesperson for Prime Minister Keir Starmer, aims to establish a significant international force to help maintain stability in Ukraine if a peace deal with Russia is reached.
The coalition would include contributions from various countries, though not all will send troops; some may provide other forms of support.
The announcement has sparked criticism, particularly from GB News presenters Andrew Pierce and Bev Turner. Pierce slammed Starmer’s proposal to deploy 10,000 British troops to Ukraine as part of the peacekeeping force, calling it “reckless” and a “terrible political mistake.
He argued that the UK struggles to protect its own borders, such as the Kent coast, and questioned the neutrality of the mission, stating that troops would inherently side with Ukraine. Turner went further, challenging Starmer to lead by example by sending his own son to Ukraine first.
The coalition’s formation follows a virtual meeting hosted by Starmer, which included leaders from 26 Western countries, two EU leaders, and NATO’s secretary general.
The meeting came after Ukraine’s president accepted a 30-day interim ceasefire agreement.
Military chiefs are set to meet later this week to discuss the next steps in implementing the peacekeeping force, with the UK and France already confirming their participation.
The proposal has raised questions about the risks of deploying troops to a volatile region, particularly given Russia’s aggressive stance.
When asked whether British troops fired upon by Russia would be permitted to return fire, the Prime Minister’s spokesperson noted that “Russia didn’t ask Ukraine when it deployed troops,” implying that the coalition would act decisively if necessary.
Critics argue that the plan could escalate tensions and put British lives at risk, while supporters see it as a necessary step to support Ukraine and maintain international security.
The coalition’s success will depend on the willingness of participating countries to commit resources and navigate the complex geopolitical landscape. As the situation unfolds, the UK government faces pressure to justify its involvement and address concerns about the potential consequences of deploying troops to Ukraine.
