Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson (Image: GENYA SAVILOV, AFP via Getty Images)
Boris Johnson has urged the UK and its allies to deploy non-combat troops to Ukraine immediately to demonstrate support for Kyiv’s sovereignty.
The former prime minister cautioned that Russian President Vladimir Putin would probably « keep going » until he was persuaded of the West’s commitment to the war-ravaged nation’s freedom and independence.
Appearing alongside former head of the military Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, Mr Johnson told the BBC‘s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme there was « no logical reason » why there shouldn’t be non-fighting boots on the ground in Ukraine right now.
« If we can have a plan for boots on the ground after the war, after Putin has condescended to have a ceasefire, then why not do it now? » he said.
Britain and France are presently spearheading plans with allies for a so-called « coalition of the willing » ready to deploy peacekeeping forces should a deal to end the conflict materialise.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson (Image: Alexey Furman, Getty Images)
In remarks made days ahead of the fourth anniversary of Russia‘s invasion, Mr Johnson also indicated the war might have been avoided if western nations had reacted differently to Mr Putin’s escalating aggression.
He described the failure to respond to the Russian leader’s annexation of Crimea in 2014, when Lord David Cameron was prime minister, as « tragic ».
The president was further encouraged by a « general sense that the West was on the backfoot » in recent years, Mr Johnson said. « He’d seen those appalling pictures of Americans being forced to flee Afghanistan and the UK pulling out as well, » he said.
Mr Johnson, who served as foreign secretary from 2016 to 2018 and prime minister from 2019 to 2022, said he believed « we should have done more, » adding: « The real problem is, with Ukraine, that Putin does not yet believe, or he has not yet been convinced, that the West regards it as an overwhelming strategic objective for Ukraine to be a free and independent European country.
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« And until he sees the evidence that that is our determination, I think he’s just going to keep going.
« That’s the problem we’re in. It’s that fundamental lack of resolve. »
Meanwhile, Sir Tony urged the Government to « resolve » its commitment to spend 3.5% of national income on defence by 2035, which it made in accordance with a pledge by Nato members last year.
He said the military alliance had « galvanised around an operational plan and the need for more spending, and that has to be resolved, » adding: « We have made that commitment. Nato is challenging us. Where is our plan? ».
A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said: « 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. »
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