Ex-UK Prime Minister Advocates Swift Deployment
Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson urges the immediate deployment of non-combat troops from the UK and Europe to peaceful regions in Ukraine. He argues this move would deliver a strong signal to Russian President Vladimir Putin, preventing further advances in the conflict.
Ahead of the four-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion, Johnson criticizes Ukraine’s allies for responding too slowly. “We’ve always delayed needlessly,” he states. “We’ve then ended up giving the Ukrainians what they have been asking for, and actually it’s always served to their advantage and to the disadvantage of Putin. I mean, the one person who suffers from escalation is Putin.”
Challenging Ceasefire Conditions
Johnson questions why supporters hesitate to act now rather than waiting for a ceasefire, which he says would hand all leverage to Putin. “If we are willing to do it in the context of a ceasefire, which of course puts all the initiative, all the power, in Putin’s hands, why not do it now?” he asks. “There is no logical reason that I can see why we shouldn’t send peaceful ground forces there to show our support, our constitutional support for a free, Ukraine.”
Military experts warn that Russia might view such deployments as escalation. Putin has declared readiness for conflict if Europe pursues it and dismissed Western peacekeeping ideas, labeling any protective forces as legitimate targets.
Johnson counters that Ukraine and its backers should set their own terms. “It’s about whether Ukraine is a free country or not,” he emphasizes. “If it’s a vassal state of Russia, which is what Putin wants, then obviously it’s up to Putin to decide who comes to his country. If it’s not, then it’s up to the Ukrainians.”
Government’s Stance on Future Involvement
Britain’s Ministry of Defence reaffirms its policy, focusing on preparations with a coalition of allies for post-ceasefire deployments. “The multinational force Ukraine under UK leadership will secure peace for the long term, with the Prime Minister being clear that we will put British troops on the ground following the end of hostilities,” the ministry states.
Roots of Russian Boldness
Johnson attributes Putin’s aggression to prior Western shortcomings, including insufficient backing after Crimea’s 2014 annexation, the chaotic US exit from Afghanistan, and delays in holding Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad accountable for chemical weapon use. “I think Putin was emboldened by a Western failure in Syria to punish Assad for using chemical weapons,” he explains. “I think Putin was further emboldened in February 2022 by what he’d seen in Afghanistan, and a sort of general sense that the West was on the back foot. He’d seen those appalling pictures of Americans being forced to flee Afghanistan and the UK pulling out as well, and that really did embolden him.”
A Ministry of Defence spokesperson highlights ongoing UK leadership: “We are proud of UK leadership on Ukraine – supporting the fight today and working to secure the peace tomorrow. It’s why this Government is providing the highest ever level of military support, including a recent half-billion-pound air defence package just last week, accelerating £200 million for the UK military to prepare for any Ukraine deployment, and working with over 30 nations through the UK-led coalition of the willing.”
