UK ready to send troops to Ukraine - Defense Secretary outlines main goal
Photo: John Healey (Getty Images)
The UK is ready to send its soldiers to Ukraine to help strengthen the ceasefire regime with Russia as part of the implementation of the Coalition of the Willing plans, Express.co.uk. reports, citing UK Defense Secretary John Healey.
"The Prime Minister (of Britain – ed.) has always made it clear that he is ready to deploy troops to Ukraine to reinforce the ceasefire," Healey said.
France and the UK are expected to provide the main part of the military contingent, although the plan also requires support from the United States.
Earlier reports suggested that the UK had abandoned plans to send peacekeepers to Ukraine due to US President Donald Trump's unwillingness to back the proposal, but the Defense Secretary's comments show that London has not dismissed the idea.
Healey also announced that a force of 50,000 troops will be created to protect Europe as the UK and France step up their military cooperation.
The Defense Secretary said that at today's Franco-British summit, discussions will be held on the two countries' means of deterrence "in the face of extreme threats" in Europe.
Deployment of military contingent to Ukraine
In early April, the Coalition of the Willing meeting took place in Kyiv - a coalition of countries pledging support to Ukraine in its fight against the aggressor. The coalition's formation was announced by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on March 2, 2025.
Following the meeting, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that French and British troops would be among the first to arrive in Ukraine. According to Zelenskyy, these countries are the main representatives of the European continent.
Later, the reports indicated that the UK does not plan to deploy its troops in Ukraine without security guarantees from the United States.
