British troops should be sent to Ukraine as part of a post-war peacekeeping force, former defense ministers have called for in the pages of the “Daily Telegraph“ newspaper, BNR reported.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is expected to visit Ukraine in the coming weeks for the first time since becoming prime minister. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has already told journalists that the two will discuss the possibility of Britain's armed forces being part of a post-war peacekeeping force.
Ahead of the visit, Grant Shapps and Gavin Williamson – two former Conservative defence ministers have called on Keir Starmer and current defence secretary John Healy to make the commitment.
Shapps, Healy's predecessor, told the newspaper:
“The contribution of British troops to a post-war peacekeeping force would undoubtedly be a welcome move, but it barely scratches the surface of what Ukraine really needs. This is a nation that is fighting not just for its survival but for the values of freedom and sovereignty that underpin global security.
Shapps added sarcastically that it was “amazing that Starmer took more than six months to visit Ukraine, especially after having found time to travel the world many times“.
For his part, Williamson said: “Obviously we all want to get to a situation where peace is restored in Ukraine and we need to make sure that it is done only in the interests of Ukraine, but that can only happen with real, physical commitment from allies.“