UK overhauls peacekeeping mission role in Ukraine – The Times
Illustrative photo: British Army soldier (Getty Images)
The British military has altered the format and objectives of the peacekeeping mission that will commence in Ukraine after the active phase of the war with Russia concludes, according to The Times.
The British Army command has abandoned the idea of creating a 30,000-strong contingent to protect Ukraine's ports and cities.
Instead, the military is proposing a more realistic mission that includes securing the airspace over western Ukraine, supporting the training of Ukrainian military personnel, and demining the Black Sea.
According to the agency, some European countries feared that deploying tens of thousands of troops to protect important Ukrainian facilities was too risky.
These countries were unwilling to provide enough troops to deter Vladimir Putin from attacking, which caused disappointment in other countries.
Instead, London and some member countries of the Coalition of the Willing now plan to have peacekeeping troops carry out a more realistic mission.
In particular, they will provide logistical support, weapons, and training experts to help rebuild and re-equip Ukraine's ground forces. In this context, there are plans to train military personnel in the western regions of the country, where Russian attacks are less likely.
There are also plans to carry out air patrol missions using Typhoon or F-35 aircraft to protect Ukraine's airspace and deter Russian attacks. These missions aim to reassure the Ukrainian population and ensure the resumption of international flights.
The coalition member countries will also assist in demining the Black Sea and ensure the safe passage of all ships to and from Ukrainian ports.
Peacekeepers for Ukraine
In March this year, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the creation of the Coalition of the Willing. This is an alliance of countries that have promised to help Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression.
Following a meeting of Coalition representatives in April, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that French and British troops would be the first to arrive in Ukraine.
Recently, French President Emmanuel Macron said that France and the United Kingdom would increase the number of peacekeepers in Ukraine to 50,000.
In addition, Austria has announced its readiness to deploy peacekeeping troops.
