Boris Johnson Advocates for Non-Combat Troops in Ukraine Now

Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has called for the immediate deployment of non-combat troops from the UK and Europe to Ukraine. Speaking ahead of the four-year anniversary of Russia’s invasion, Johnson emphasized the necessity of positioning these forces in peaceful regions to deliver a strong message to Russian President Vladimir Putin. He asserted that without such action, Putin would continue to escalate the conflict.

In an interview with Laura Kuenssberg of the BBC, Johnson criticized Ukraine’s allies for being “too slow” in their response to the ongoing war. He stated, “We’ve always delayed needlessly,” highlighting that the delays have ultimately led to providing Ukraine with the resources it has requested, benefiting them while disadvantaging Putin. He argued that the fallout from escalation primarily affects Putin, not the Western allies.

Johnson questioned the rationale behind waiting for a ceasefire to offer military support, stating, “If we are willing to do it in the context of a ceasefire… why not do it now?” He expressed no logical reason against sending peaceful ground forces to support Ukraine’s sovereignty.

Military analysts have warned that deploying troops could be perceived by Russia as an act of escalation. Putin has previously stated that Russia is “ready right now” for war if Europe chooses that path. He has dismissed Western peacekeeping proposals, stating that any troops sent to protect Ukraine would become “legitimate targets.”

In response to these remarks, Johnson insisted that Ukraine and its allies must operate on their own terms rather than those dictated by Russia. “It’s about whether Ukraine is a free country or not,” he noted, emphasizing that if Ukraine were to become a vassal state of Russia, the decision about who enters the country would rest solely with Putin.

The UK Ministry of Defence responded to Johnson’s comments by reiterating the government’s existing policy. They confirmed that ongoing preparations with the “coalition of the willing” aim to facilitate troop deployment should a ceasefire be established. A spokesperson stated, “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.”

Johnson also attributed the ongoing conflict to failures in Western policy, citing inadequate support for Ukraine after Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014, the chaotic US withdrawal from Afghanistan, and delays in responding to Bashar al-Assad for the use of chemical weapons in Syria. He suggested that these failures have emboldened Putin. “I think Putin was emboldened by a Western failure in Syria to punish Assad for using chemical weapons,” he said, noting the impact of the images of the US withdrawal from Afghanistan.

A spokesperson from the Ministry of Defence stated, “We are proud of UK leadership on Ukraine – supporting the fight today and working to secure the peace tomorrow.” They highlighted that the UK is providing unprecedented levels of military support, including a recent £500 million air defense package and an acceleration of £200 million for military preparations for potential deployment in Ukraine.

As the conflict continues, Johnson’s comments will likely contribute to the ongoing debate around the extent of military support that Ukraine’s allies should provide in the effort to ensure its sovereignty and security amidst Russian aggression.