Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson calls for the swift deployment of non-combat troops from Britain and Europe to secure areas in Ukraine. He warns that such a presence would signal resolve to Russian President Vladimir Putin and halt further aggression in the ongoing conflict.
Ahead of the fourth anniversary of Russia’s invasion, Johnson faults Ukraine’s allies for sluggish responses. “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.”
Push for Immediate Action
Johnson challenges the reluctance to act during active hostilities if forces stand ready for a ceasefire scenario. “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 questions. “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.”
Risks of Escalation
Military analysts caution that troop deployments might provoke Russia, viewing them as provocative steps. Putin has declared readiness for confrontation if pursued by Europe and rejected prior Western peacekeeping offers, deeming such forces valid targets.
Johnson rejects these warnings, asserting that Ukraine and its backers must dictate terms based on sovereignty. “It’s about whether Ukraine is a free country or not,” he declares. “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.”
Official UK Stance
Britain’s Ministry of Defence upholds its strategy, advancing preparations with allies for post-ceasefire missions. “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 affirms.
A spokesperson adds: “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.”
Roots of Russian Boldness
Johnson links Putin’s advances to earlier Western lapses, such as limited aid after Crimea’s 2014 annexation, the chaotic Afghanistan withdrawal, and procrastination on Syria’s chemical weapon accountability. “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.”
