Boots on ground readiness
Defence Secretary John Healey has said the UK is “ready to put boots on the ground” in Ukraine once a ceasefire is reached, underlining Britain’s role in the emerging Coalition of the Willing.
Healey told the BBC forces would deploy “from day one” to help secure peace, though he stressed their mission was reassurance, not combat.
“In the end the strongest deterrence against Russia is the strength of Ukraine,” he added.
His remarks came as President Macron and Prime Minister Keir Starmer co-chaired a virtual summit of coalition leaders on Sunday, joined by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The grouping reaffirmed its readiness to guarantee Ukraine’s security and to regenerate its armed forces following Donald Trump’s talks with Vladimir Putin in Alaska.
Europe steps up role
The UK and France have taken the lead in forming the coalition, partly to counter fears earlier this year that Trump might scale back American support.
European leaders have since pledged to carry the “lion’s share” of peacekeeping duties, though they expect Washington to back robust security guarantees.
Trump has signalled he may support guarantees on a “non-Nato basis”, leaving open questions about the US role.
A joint French-UK headquarters for the coalition was set up in Paris last month, and over 200 military planners from 30 nations have prepared deployment plans.
The mission would focus on securing Ukraine’s skies and seas, and rebuilding its armed forces, rather than placing Western troops near front lines.
Washington talks next
Macron and Starmer confirmed they will travel with Zelenskyy to Washington on Monday (18th Aug) for further consultations with Trump.
Coalition leaders insisted Ukraine alone must decide on its territorial future, warning Russia cannot veto its NATO or EU path. They pledged to keep sanctions pressure on Moscow until a just peace is achieved.
