The UK has dismissed claims that it’s discussing sending troops to Ukraine. Foreign Secretary David Lammy addressed the issue on Tuesday, making it clear that Britain’s policy hasn’t changed.
“We are not deploying British troops in the theater of operations,” he said, according to Ziare.
The rumors came after a report from the French newspaper Le Monde suggested that the UK and France might consider sending soldiers or private military contractors to assist Ukraine.
The article mentioned anonymous sources and tied the discussion to a recent visit by Prime Minister Keir Starmer to France. The visit marked the 106th anniversary of the World War I Armistice earlier this month.
When asked about the report, Lammy was direct. Britain’s support for Ukraine will continue through military aid and training programs, but there are no plans to send forces into combat.
No Plans to Deploy Troops
He repeated this stance during a meeting of G7 foreign ministers in Italy, stating that the UK’s position has been consistent.
A spokesperson for Starmer also denied any plans to deploy troops.
The spokesperson noted that the UK has supported Ukraine by training soldiers within its borders and providing significant amounts of military aid. This includes medical training for Ukrainian personnel in the past and a commitment to ongoing support.
These discussions come at a tense moment in the war. Ukraine has begun using long-range missiles, including American ATACMS and British-supplied Storm Shadows, against Russian targets.
Moscow responded by testing new weapons and issuing fresh threats. President Vladimir Putin warned that Russia might target military facilities in countries aiding Ukraine. He described the war as becoming increasingly “global.”
Despite this, Western allies remain united in their support for Ukraine. Britain recently supplied additional Storm Shadow missiles, though the exact numbers weren’t made public.
Officials say they will continue to assist Ukraine as winter approaches but maintain their stance against putting British forces on the ground.
