Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has called for the immediate deployment of British troops to Ukraine to help end the ongoing conflict with Russia. In an interview with the BBC, Johnson emphasized the urgency of sending military personnel to assist in non-combat roles in peaceful regions.
Johnson questioned the rationale behind waiting for a ceasefire agreement before planning military support, stating, “If we can have a plan for sending troops to Ukraine after the war, after Putin agrees to a ceasefire, then why not do it now?” He expressed concern that the conflict could have been prevented if Western allies had responded more decisively to Putin’s aggression, particularly following the annexation of Crimea in 2014.
He acknowledged that European and American partners had been slow in providing assistance to Ukraine but highlighted that the UK’s support had been substantial. On January 6, Ukraine, France, and the UK signed a Declaration of Intent in Paris to deploy multinational forces in Ukraine.
French President Emmanuel Macron stated that the establishment of these multinational forces would serve as a guarantee for Ukraine following a ceasefire. He noted that preparations are underway for the creation of these forces across air, sea, and land to ensure stability after hostilities cease and away from the frontline.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky underscored that the signed Declaration is a signal of serious commitment and allows for the development of legal obligations moving forward.
On January 9, U.S. President Donald Trump expressed readiness to commit to U.S. involvement in Ukraine’s defense, contingent on Russia refraining from further invasion attempts. The Russian Foreign Ministry criticized such initiatives as militarization and escalation of the conflict.
In February, it was reported that Ukraine and the U.S. were finalizing security guarantees for Ukraine, with the U.S. indicating its willingness to ratify these guarantees in Congress. On January 25, Zelensky announced that a bilateral security guarantee document from the U.S. was fully prepared, emphasizing that these guarantees are crucial for ending the war and preventing future conflicts.
Boris Johnson has urged for immediate military support to Ukraine, emphasizing the need for proactive measures against Russian aggression. This comes amid ongoing discussions about multinational forces and security guarantees involving key Western nations.