The United Kingdom is exploring plans for a long-term military presence in Ukraine as part of a broader European initiative to rebuild and strengthen the country's armed forces, according to recent reports from the Telegraph.
The proposed deployment could span up to five years and would focus primarily on training Ukrainian forces while providing security assurances for the country's airspace and territorial waters. The plan may include stationing Royal Air Force fighter jets in the region.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer initially proposed the idea during a March 2 summit in London, where leaders from European nations and Canada gathered to discuss post-war support for Ukraine. The initiative has gained traction, with 37 nations expressing interest and 15 countries indicating willingness to contribute troops.
The deployment would likely commence following a ceasefire or peace agreement with Russia. France and the UK are spearheading the effort, which aims to deter future Russian aggression and help stabilize Ukraine's military capabilities. French officials have expressed confidence that Russian forces would be unlikely to target Western troops in Ukraine, citing Russia's current battlefield challenges. However, the Kremlin has stated that any foreign troop presence in Ukraine would be considered direct involvement in the conflict.
While London and Paris have lobbied for U.S. involvement, particularly regarding airpower and intelligence support, the current administration has not made firm commitments about ground troops or security guarantees. This development comes as the UK recently announced £450 million in military support to Kyiv, demonstrating its ongoing commitment to supporting Ukraine's defense capabilities.