Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson urges the immediate deployment of non-combat troops from the UK and Europe to peaceful regions of Ukraine. He argues this move would deliver a clear message to Russian President Vladimir Putin, deterring further aggression in the ongoing conflict.
Urgent Call Ahead of Invasion Anniversary
Speaking before the fourth anniversary of Russia’s invasion, Johnson criticizes Ukraine’s allies for responding too slowly. “We’ve always delayed needlessly,” he states. “We’ve then ended up giving the Ukrainians what they have been asking for, and actually it’s always served to their advantage and to the disadvantage of Putin. I mean, the one person who suffers from escalation is Putin.”
Johnson sees no barrier to providing such support now, rather than waiting for a ceasefire. “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?” he questions. “There is no logical reason that I can see why we shouldn’t send peaceful ground forces there to show our support, our constitutional support for a free, Ukraine.”
Risks of Escalation Highlighted
Military experts warn that deploying troops could provoke Russia, viewing it as a dangerous step-up. Putin has declared Russia is “ready right now” for war if pursued by Europe and dismissed Western peacekeeping ideas, labeling such forces as legitimate targets.
Johnson rejects these concerns, emphasizing Ukraine’s right to self-determination. “It’s about whether Ukraine is a free country or not,” he asserts. “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.”
UK Government’s Position
Britain’s Ministry of Defence upholds its current strategy, collaborating with a coalition to ready troops for post-ceasefire operations. “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 confirms.
Historical Context for Putin’s Actions
Johnson links Putin’s confidence to prior Western shortcomings, such as limited backing after Crimea’s 2014 annexation, the chaotic US exit from Afghanistan, and delays in sanctioning Syria’s Bashar al-Assad for chemical attacks. “I think Putin was emboldened by a Western failure in Syria to punish Assad for using chemical weapons,” he explains. “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.”
A Ministry of Defence spokesperson reinforces UK commitment: “We are proud of UK leadership on Ukraine – supporting the fight today and working to secure the peace tomorrow. It’s why this Government is providing the highest ever level of military support, including a recent half-billion-pound air defence package just last week, accelerating £200 million for the UK military to prepare for any Ukraine deployment, and working with over 30 nations through the UK-led coalition of the willing. 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.”
