Concerns Over Potential UK Peacekeeping Troops in Ukraine
Former defense chiefs have expressed significant concerns regarding the prospect of the UK sending peacekeeping troops to Ukraine. They argue that such a commitment would far exceed the military engagement seen during the war in Afghanistan and could potentially lead to direct confrontation with Russia.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has indicated his openness to deploying UK peacekeeping forces to ensure Ukraine’s security, contingent on an agreement to end the ongoing conflict with Moscow. However, he has yet to specify the number of British service personnel that could be involved, raising questions about whether the Armed Forces possess the necessary strength to take on a leading role in such a mission.
Former defense ministers and military officials caution that the government must fully grasp the implications of the Prime Minister’s offer. Sir Gavin Williamson, who served as defense secretary under Theresa May, stated in an interview with The i Paper: “It is appropriate for Britain to assume a leadership position, but we must confront the reality that this will be an incredibly costly endeavor, not only in terms of equipment but also in personnel.”
Williamson elaborated, saying, “What we are discussing is a substantial commitment that could surpass even the Afghan war, as the Afghan conflict did not involve direct engagement with a peer adversary.” During the two-decade military presence in Afghanistan, the UK suffered the loss of 457 troops against Taliban forces.
Lord West, a former First Sea Lord and Labour defense minister, raised critical questions about the potential responsibilities of UK peacekeepers if they encountered Russian forces. He questioned, “Will they be tasked with internal security? If Russian troops were to advance, would they possess the authority to engage in combat and effectively initiate a war against Russia?”
Lord West further commented, “For far too long, we have not allocated sufficient resources to our defense. Successive governments have let us down, leaving our forces under-resourced and unable to meet the challenges we face. Adding a commitment of 10,000 troops to Ukraine would severely limit our operational capabilities elsewhere around the globe.”
The size of the British Army has been reduced in recent years, now comprising fewer than 80,000 regular personnel. Experts estimate that deploying a single brigade to Ukraine could consume more than half of the total troop capacity.
Former defense minister Anne-Marie Trevelyan emphasized that the UK’s contribution would not merely be about numbers. Instead, she highlighted the importance of leveraging the UK’s leadership and coordination capabilities as part of a multi-national peacekeeping force.
