The Prime Minister has said that he will deploy British troops to Ukraine for “as long as it takes” and they could be out there for “years” to keep the peace and deter Russia.
Sir Keir Starmer said British forces will be deployed long side Western troops in keep the ceasefire in place.
Up to 30,000 soldiers could be deployed to Ukraine from countries such as Canada, Australia, Turkey, France and the UK.
On Thursday members of the “coalition of the willing” are to meet in London and they will speak in “great specific” as to where the peacekeepers will be sent.
Starmer has neither confirmed nor denied if British troops will be authorised to shoot to kill Russian soldiers, the rules of engagement will be discussed.
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Peacekeepers will only be sent to Ukraine once a ceasefire is agreed and if Vladimir Putin agrees to no operations being carried out “in the air and at seas” including all Russian forces to lay down their weapons.
A government sources said, “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.”
Starmer said during a press conference in Downing Street the “world needs action now” with “new commitments” to be made on peacekeeping and “sooner or later” Putin will have no choice but to negotiate.
Lord Peter Ricketts, who is a retired senior diplomat, has warned Starmer’s plans for peacekeepers in Ukraine come with “considerable risks.”
Lord Ricketts told Sky News that Starmer has done an “excellent job” bringing Europe together, but “now you’ve got to ask the tough questions,” What will “a European force actually do in Ukraine?”
The former national security advisor told Sky New’s Trevel Phillips that the European troops in Ukraine will have to be prepared to fight the Russians, and a “cast Iron American guarantee” will most likely prevent this.
He added, “I don’t think Trump is going to give that kind of commitment, while I admire the work going into it… I think a formed fighting force is a considerable risk without an American clear guarantee.”
