Downing Street may have to scale back or even abandon deploying thousands of soldiers to Ukraine are the “risks are too high,” the Times reported.
Downing Street has planned to send 10,000 peacekeeping soldiers to protect Ukrainian cities and nuclear power plants.
A source told the Times, “The risks are too high and the forces inadequate for such a task. This was always the U.K.’s thought. It was France who wanted a more muscular approach.”
Sir Keir Starmer said at a meeting in London the peacekeeping mission will be a significant force with a significant number of countries providing troops and a much larger group contributing in other ways,” the Sunday Times reported.
London and Paris will now send military planners and trainers to Ukraine instead of having troops along the contact line.
The source added, “The trainers ‘reassure’ by being there but aren’t a deterrence or protection force.”
The Times reported that a spokesperson for the Ministry of Defence responded, “This is speculation. Advanced operational planning within the coalition of the willing remains ongoing for options across land, sea and air, and to regenerate the Ukrainian armed forces.
“In the meantime, we’re continuing to support efforts for peace, while stepping up the military support for Ukraine as Putin’s illegal invasion continues.”
