UK considers sending troops to Ukraine to help train its forces
The UK Ministry of Defense is considering the possibility of sending British troops to Ukraine to help train its armed forces.
Defense Secretary John Healey has been in the capital Kiev to discuss plans to provide more support to Ukraine next year.
He declined to reveal details of the plans, but defense sources said he would not rule out sending British troops to Ukraine to help with training.
Currently, the UK has been training Ukrainian troops in the UK. There is also a small team of British Army medics providing training within Ukraine.
Healey came to Kyiv promising an extra £225m of military support – for more drones, artillery shells and air defense systems.
But he said he has also been discussing how to put Ukraine in the best position for the coming year. That involves more weapons, more training and more sanctions on Russia, he said.
Defense sources said one option being considered was sending British troops to Ukraine to help train their troops. Healy declined to give specific details in an interview with the BBC.
“For example, the details of our joint plans in Ukraine must be kept from (Russian) President Vladimir Putin,” he said.
US President-elect Donald Trump has pledged to work to end the war. Some Western countries have been discussing how they would provide security for Ukraine if this happened.
Healey said he would wait for Trump’s plan, but the defense secretary said his main responsibility was to do everything possible for Ukraine while the country continues to fight.
His comments come ahead of a meeting in Brussels on Thursday that will be attended by Foreign Secretary David Lamy and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, as well as representatives of EU countries and Nato.
Echoing the defense minister, Lamy said discussions would focus on what further support is needed to “put Ukraine in the strongest position possible as we enter 2025 and throughout 2025.”
“It is extremely important that allies across Europe step up their support for Ukraine to provide their armed forces with the still necessary training and the financial support we need in the long term, and we must find innovative ways to find the funding,” he added road.
Britain and other NATO members have not sent troops to Ukraine or established a no-fly zone over the country for fear of being drawn into a direct conflict with Russia. However, individual members provided weapons and equipment.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer also discussed the situation in Ukraine during a phone call with Trump on Wednesday.
A Downing Street spokesman said: “The Prime Minister reiterated the need for allies to stand with Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression and ensure Ukraine is in the strongest possible position.”
