Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has called on Britain and its allies to deploy non-combat troops to Ukraine immediately, arguing that doing so could “flip a switch" in Russian President Vladimir Putin’s thinking.

Speaking to the BBC alongside former Chief of the Defence Staff Adm Sir Tony Radakin, Johnson said forces could be stationed in peaceful regions in non-fighting roles even before a ceasefire is agreed.

“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?" Johnson said. “There is no logical reason that I can see why we shouldn’t send peaceful ground forces there to show our support for a free, independent Ukraine."

The UK government is currently working with allies on a “coalition of the willing" that would deploy forces to maintain peace and stability in Ukraine but only if a formal deal to end the war is reached.

Johnson’s proposal goes further, suggesting troops could be sent now to safe areas as a political signal. He stressed they would not be deployed in a combat capacity but to demonstrate constitutional support for Ukraine’s sovereignty.

However, such a move would likely be seen by Moscow as a major provocation. Russian President Vladimir Putin previously warned that any foreign troops deployed to Ukraine would be considered “legitimate targets".

In response to Johnson’s remarks, a Ministry of Defence spokesperson said the UK remains focused on providing record levels of military support to Ukraine and preparing for potential future deployment under an agreed peace framework.

As the war approaches its fourth anniversary, Johnson and Radakin reflected on the early days of the invasion in February 2022 and acknowledged that Western allies had been too slow and cautious in supplying weapons.

Radakin described the approach as “incrementalism", saying Ukraine had often found the delays “deeply frustrating". Johnson added that repeated hesitation had cost lives.

“We’ve always delayed needlessly," Johnson said. “We’ve then ended up giving the Ukrainians what they have been asking for — and it’s always served to their advantage and to the disadvantage of Putin."

Source: World News in news18.com, World Latest News, World News