In an interview with the BBC, former UK prime minister Boris Johnson said European allies should send their troops to Ukraine as soon as possible, arguing that there are, in his view, no obstacles to such a move now.

He noted that Western countries already have a plan to deploy a contingent to Ukrainian territory once the fighting is over. However, he argued that troops could be sent earlier as a way to underscore the seriousness of Western intentions, adding that allies, as he sees it, are prepared to take such a step in the context of a ceasefire agreement.

Johnson said he did not see any logical reason why «peacekeeping ground forces» should not be sent to Ukraine to demonstrate support, making clear he was talking about non-combat deployments.

He framed the issue as a political choice, linking it to the question of whether Ukraine is considered a «free country or not». If it is, he argued, the decision on which foreign contingents may enter its territory should rest with the Ukrainians themselves. He also stressed that any troops, in his view, should be stationed only in areas where active fighting is not taking place.

The article recalls that countries in the so-called «coalition of the willing» intend, after a peace agreement is reached, to provide Kiev with security guarantees, including the deployment of a peacekeeping mission in Ukraine. France and the United Kingdom have previously stated they are ready to send their forces to Ukrainian territory once peace is achieved. These units are expected to create military hubs, train Ukrainian troops and build hardened facilities.