Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has called for the immediate deployment of noncombat troops from the U.K. And its European allies to Ukraine, a move he argues would demonstrate unwavering support for Kyiv and deter further Russian aggression. The proposal, made ahead of the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion, centers on positioning troops in peaceful regions of Ukraine to perform non-fighting roles.
In excerpts of an interview with the BBC, Johnson questioned the logic of conditioning such a deployment on a ceasefire agreement. “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 said. “There is no logical reason that I can observe why we shouldn’t send peaceful ground forces there to show our support, our constitutional support for a free, independent Ukraine.”
The suggestion represents a significant potential shift in Western policy toward Ukraine. While a “coalition of the willing” is reportedly developing plans for troop deployment, those plans are currently predicated on a future ceasefire agreement intended to police its terms. Johnson’s proposal would preemptively establish a Western military presence within Ukraine, potentially altering the strategic calculus for both sides.
The Kremlin has previously warned against any foreign military presence in Ukraine, with President Vladimir Putin in September declaring that any deployed troops would be considered “legitimate targets.” Johnson dismissed this as an unacceptable attempt to dictate terms to Ukraine and its allies. “It’s about whether Ukraine is a free country or not,” he stated. “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 U.K.’s Ministry of Defense acknowledged Johnson’s comments but reiterated the government’s current position. In a statement, the ministry confirmed its continued work with the coalition of the willing to prepare for a deployment of troops 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 statement read.
Johnson attributed the current conflict, in part, to perceived Western failures to adequately respond to earlier Russian actions, including the annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the use of chemical weapons by the Assad regime in Syria. He as well cited the withdrawal of U.S. Forces from Afghanistan as a contributing factor, suggesting it emboldened Putin. “I think Putin was emboldened by a Western failure in Syria to punish Assad for using chemical weapons,” Johnson 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.”