British Defense Secretary John Healy said he would like to be the first head of the British military department to send British troops to Ukraine, but only if peace is achieved, PA Media/DPA reported, BTA reported.
According to him, 2026 should be the year "this terrible war ends." "I want to be the Defense Secretary who deploys British troops to Ukraine because it means the war is finally over," Healy told the Telegraph newspaper. two days before the fourth anniversary of the Russian invasion.
According to him, such a step would only be possible after a negotiated peace. "A secure Europe needs a strong and sovereign Ukraine", he added.
Great Britain and France are initiating talks with allies to create a so-called coalition of the willing, which could deploy peacekeeping forces if an agreement is reached to end the conflict in Ukraine.
Healey noted that there is no greater responsibility for a defense minister or any government than the decision to send armed forces on a mission abroad.
Earlier this month, he co-chaired meetings in Brussels of the 50-nation Ukraine Defense Contact Group, as well as NATO defense ministers. During the talks, the allies pledged about $35 billion in additional military aid to Kiev.
"We are increasing military aid and will increase pressure on Putin, both through new sanctions and through additional measures against Russia's shadow navy," Healy said. He stressed that the war had proven one important thing - that the will of the Ukrainian people should never be underestimated.
His remarks came after a call by former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who urged Britain and its allies to immediately send troops to Ukraine as a sign of support for the country's sovereignty.