Johnson Calls for UK Troop Deployment to Ukraine in Non-Combat Roles

LONDON — Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has urged the United Kingdom and its European allies to immediately deploy non-combat troops to Ukraine, aiming to demonstrate unwavering support for the nation’s sovereignty and independence amidst the ongoing conflict with Russia.

Speaking ahead of the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Johnson told the BBC that these troops should be stationed in peaceful regions, undertaking non-fighting roles. The comments, excerpted from an interview set to air on Sunday, highlight Johnson’s consistent advocacy for Ukraine, particularly during the initial months of the war when he served as Britain’s leader.

Should the proposal be adopted, it would represent a significant shift in policy for the UK and its allies. Whereas a “coalition of the willing” is currently developing plans for troop deployment to Ukraine, such a move is contingent upon a ceasefire agreement and is intended to aid maintain peace and stability.

“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?” Johnson stated. “There is no logical reason that I can see why we shouldn’t send peaceful ground forces there to display our support, our constitutional support for a free, independent Ukraine.”

Western military planners have been hesitant to publicly discuss such a move, fearing that Russia might interpret it as an escalation of the conflict.

In September, Russian President Vladimir Putin rejected proposals for a peacekeeping force in Ukraine, declaring that any troops deployed to the country would be considered “legitimate targets.”

However, Johnson argued that Putin should not dictate terms to Ukraine and its allies.

“It’s about whether Ukraine is a free country or not,” he said. “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.”

The British Ministry of Defence responded to Johnson’s comments by stating that the government continues to collaborate with the coalition of the willing to prepare for troop deployment to Ukraine following a ceasefire.

“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 said in a statement.

Johnson as well attributed the war in Ukraine to the West’s perceived failures to adequately support Ukraine after the 2014 annexation of Crimea, its insufficient response to the use of chemical weapons by Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria, and the chaotic withdrawal of U.S. Forces from Afghanistan.

“I think Putin was emboldened by a Western failure in Syria to punish Assad for using chemical weapons,” he said.

“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.”