British former defense ministers, Grant Shapps and Gavin Williamson, have expressed support for the deployment of British troops to Ukraine as peacekeepers, if the conflict is resolved diplomatically. According to reports, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer plans to visit Kiev to discuss the potential deployment of British troops in the event of a ceasefire. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has confirmed that the topic will be discussed during the meeting.
Shapps, former defense minister from 2023 to 2024, said that British troops contributing to a post-conflict peacekeeping force would be a welcome step, but would only scratch the surface of what Ukraine truly needs. He emphasized that the UK should now take the lead and offer Ukraine a bold and unwavering path to NATO membership.
The idea of deploying peacekeepers to Ukraine was first proposed by French President Emmanuel Macron in February 2024. He suggested that European states could deploy troops to ensure security in the country during a ceasefire and support the peace process.
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy has shown openness to the idea, stating that international peacekeepers could be one of the best instruments to force Russia to peace. However, some European politicians have cautioned against hasty decisions. Finnish President Alexander Stubb warned that such a step could lead to an escalation.
The UK aims for a diplomatic end to the conflict that protects Kiev’s interests, said Gavin Williamson, former defense minister from 2017 to 2019. He emphasized that maintaining peace and security in Ukraine would require a genuine, physical engagement. Williamson referred to the 2015 Minsk Agreement, which froze the conflict between Kiev and the Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics, but ultimately proved ineffective. He stated that, in the event of a ceasefire, Ukraine’s security would need to be supported by the NATO or countries like the UK, considered reliable partners.