France and the United Kingdom are reportedly exploring options for deploying military personnel to Ukraine as part of a possible peacekeeping mission, writes The Telegraph, describing three possible scenarios for British troops in Ukraine.
The discussions, led by French President Emmanuel Macron, assume a ceasefire agreement between kyiv and Moscow. Macron had already discussed this idea with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
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Although Downing Street and the Élysée Palace have not denied the talks are taking place, other details remain closely guarded. Sources suggest that while UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has committed to the concept in principle, he is yet to fully commit.
“There are challenges around what we could support, what we would want to support, and the broader question of the threat these troops could face and whether that will escalate,” a senior official said. Whitehall to the Telegraph.
The UK government’s official position remains that Western allies should continue to provide military aid to Ukraine, leaving the decision on peace talks entirely to kyiv.
However, The Telegraph highlights a growing debate in Westminster over whether Western troops could eventually be needed to secure a peace deal, particularly if Russia retains control of occupied Ukrainian territories under a future deal of peace.
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Several European leaders are reportedly considering how to ensure the protection of remaining Ukrainian-controlled territory against further Russian aggression, although there is still great uncertainty about the feasibility and implications of such a proposal, according to the report.
The United States’ reluctance to deploy troops abroad, combined with President-elect Donald Trump’s criticism of U.S. financial support for Ukraine, makes American participation in a potential peacekeeping force unlikely, analysts say. British officials.
Discussions revolve around Western soldiers occupying a 1,300-kilometer (800-mile) demilitarized buffer zone between Ukraine and Russia.
Deployment scenarios
Buffer zone monitoring
NATO troops, including British units, are believed to be stationed along a frozen front line in Ukraine. They would man observation posts and patrol the buffer zone with fighter jets and attack helicopters. Rapid reaction forces would be deployed near the border with Russia, in the Chernihiv, Sumy and Kharkiv regions.
Defense of Kyiv
NATO forces would be called in to protect kyiv in the event of a Russian advance against the capital, allowing Ukraine to redirect its reserves to counterattack.
Western training missions
NATO troops, protected by air defense systems located in Poland, would train kyiv’s forces in western Ukraine. Training missions could be led by the United Kingdom, France, Germany and other NATO countries.
Ukrainian Telegram channels judged the third scenario – the positioning of training missions – as the least controversial.
British peacekeeping troops in Ukraine could strain defense budget
The Telegraph reports that any decision to deploy British troops to Ukraine as peacekeepers would put a significant strain on the UK MoD’s budget, especially as the Treasury seeks to implement spending cuts .
Starmer is expected to unveil his plan in the spring to gradually increase UK defense spending to 2.5% of GDP from the current 2.3%. However, it remains unclear whether this goal will be achieved before 2030.
The deployment could involve thousands of British troops at a time when military leaders have already warned of the UK’s limited ability to sustain a large-scale conflict.
The move could also be seen as an escalation by Russia, a narrative Downing Street has always sought to avoid. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, successive British prime ministers have refrained from sending British troops to Ukrainian territory.
Ukraine’s non-membership of NATO – an alliance with a collective defense clause stipulating that an attack on one member is an attack on all – could further complicate the situation. Although the UK supports Ukraine’s possible membership of NATO, the current circumstances raise many logistical and strategic questions.
These include whether and how a no-fly zone could be established over newly defined Ukrainian territory and would undoubtedly require international approval, The Telegraph added.
Starmer in kyiv: signing historic 100-year UK-Ukraine partnership agreement
In addition to these ongoing discussions, Starmer arrived in Ukraine on Thursday January 16 – his first visit as head of the British government. During his visit to kyiv, Starmer met Zelensky and signed a historic partnership agreement which commits the two countries to close cooperation for the next 100 years.
“Today marks a truly historic day. Relations between Ukraine and the United Kingdom have never been closer,” Zelensky said. “We have reached a new level – it is more than just a strategic partnership.”
The agreement aims to deepen ties in the defense and non-military sectors, with a focus on strengthening maritime security in the Baltic, Black and Azov seas to deter Russian aggression.
It also seeks to establish collaborative initiatives in the fields of science and technology, particularly in the areas of health, agrotechnology, space and drone development, while fostering links through educational projects.
Additionally, the UK is set to launch a grain verification program to trace grain stolen from occupied Ukrainian territories and establish itself as a key partner in Ukraine’s energy sector. The strategy includes plans for environmentally friendly mining and steel production, highlighting a commitment to sustainable development and resource security.
The visit also coincides with the UK Government’s anticipated announcement of new aid packages for Ukraine, reinforcing the UK’s steadfast support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and future growth.
