The UK government is preparing to commit thousands of troops to Ukraine on a long-term basis as part of a proposed international peacekeeping mission, according to a senior British official cited by The Times.
“This will be a long-term commitment, we are talking about years. As long as it takes to maintain the peace agreement and deter Russia,” the source told the newspaper.
The deployment would occur only after a formal peace agreement is signed between Kyiv and Moscow.
Coalition of Peacekeepers Could Number 30,000
According to The Times, the UK is coordinating with France, Turkey, Canada, and Australia in organizing the deployment. Over 30 additional countries have pledged support—primarily through logistics, weapons, and training.
If implemented, the mission could include up to 30,000 peacekeepers. The joint plan envisions forces stationed in key cities such as Kyiv, Odessa, and Lviv, with the objective of supplying, training, and supporting Ukrainian forces during the post-war phase.
Russia has reacted with strong opposition.
Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko called the idea of sending NATO troops to Ukraine "absolutely inappropriate and absurd."
“If they appear there, this means that they are being deployed in a conflict zone with all the consequences for these contingents as parties to the conflict,” Grushko warned.
He added that only unarmed observers might be acceptable for monitoring a ceasefire, not armed foreign troops.
Ukraine Doesn’t Need Russia’s Consent
In contrast, French President Emmanuel Macron said the deployment of peacekeepers after the war would be Ukraine’s sovereign decision, not subject to Russian approval.
“Ukraine is sovereign, and if it asks for allied troops to be on its territory, it is not for Russia to decide whether to agree or not,” Macron said.
He emphasized that any peace agreement must include security guarantees for Ukraine, adding that territorial concessions were not on the table.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has previously called for 100,000 international peacekeepers to be deployed across the country to ensure compliance with a future ceasefire or peace deal.
While the United States has expressed support for a European-led peacekeeping mission, it has ruled out sending its own troops to Ukraine.
