The Prime Minister wants to lead a peacekeeping mission with France, but a Conservative MP has warned that sending British troops to Ukraine too quickly could lead to a dangerous conflict with Russia, which has nuclear weapons.
Nick Timothy, a rising Conservative politician, cautioned that British soldiers could be put in danger if the Prime Minister moves forward with this plan.
Speaking on Chopper’s Political Podcast, he said that peacekeeping might sound harmless, but in reality, it could mean fighting Russia if they attack.
Timothy, who was once the chief of staff to former Prime Minister Theresa May and is now an MP for West Suffolk, stressed that the UK must think carefully about its national interest before sending troops.
At last weekend’s Lancaster House meeting with European leaders, Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the UK was ready to send British soldiers as part of a peacekeeping force. He also promised to consult Parliament before making any final decisions.
However, Timothy remained skeptical about these assurances. He said he was worried that decisions were being made too quickly and that deploying troops to Ukraine—a country outside NATO—could be risky. He repeated that peacekeeping is not just about providing aid but could mean direct military conflict with Russia.
He also pointed out that Russia is a major military power with nuclear weapons, just like the UK, and that this should not be taken lightly.
Timothy argued that Britain should focus on its real strategic threats and national interests. While Russia is a concern, he believes China is an even bigger long-term threat.
On the issue of immigration, Timothy said the UK needs to have a serious discussion about people leaving the country.
He argued that immigration policies should ensure that those on temporary visas leave when their time is up, especially if they are not contributing financially. He warned that too many migrants are adding to the UK’s economic struggles.
