Britain ready to send troops to Ukraine to secure ceasefire
Photo: UK Defense Secretary John Healy (Getty Images)
UK Defense Secretary John Healey said that the country is ready to deploy troops to Ukrainian territory to strengthen the ceasefire regime, if such an agreement is reached, according to the BBC.
“We are ready to put UK boots on the ground in Ukraine,” he emphasized.
Healey rejected the notion that the United Kingdom is allegedly limited to the role of an observer.
“No, the UK's role is to stand with Ukraine on the battlefield and in the negotiations, and prepare as we have been, leading 30 other nations with military planning for a ceasefire and a secure peace through what we call the Coalition of the Willing,” the minister said.
More than 200 coalition military planners have been developing detailed action scenarios in the event of a ceasefire.
Healey added that the UK government is ready to strengthen economic sanctions against Russia if, at the meeting in Alaska, Russian president Vladimir Putin shows that he is not serious.
UK-Ukraine cooperation
On August 14, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The leaders discussed security measures capable of ensuring long-term peace, provided that the United States secures from Russia a cessation of hostilities and a shift to real diplomacy.
The parties also discussed the continued support for the Ukrainian army and the development of defence production.
In early August, President Zelenskyy submitted to the Verkhovna Rada bill No. 0332 on the ratification of the 100-year agreement with the United Kingdom.
