UK proposes peacekeeping mission of 10,000 troops in Ukraine

U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer over the weekend proposed sending 10,000 peacekeeping troops to Ukraine.

The plan, backed by 29 international leaders, aims to ensure security in Ukraine if a peace deal with Russia is reached.

While the troop numbers are smaller than initially discussed, the mission will rely on a broad coalition for logistical and intelligence support.

The discussion comes amid ongoing ceasefire talks and global efforts to stabilize the region.

A spokesperson for the UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that more than 30 countries are expected to join the coalition of the willing to support Ukraine.

This is more than the 27 leaders who participated in the virtual summit led by Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday.

The spokesperson said,

“The contribution capabilities will vary,

“but this will be a significant force,

“with a significant number of countries providing troops and a larger group contributing in other ways,” the spokesperson added.

The leaders of countries participating in the Saturday video conference of the “coalition of the willing” represented the following countries:

Australia, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Czechia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Latvia.

Others are Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Spain.

Sweden, Turkey, Ukraine and the United Kingdom make up the list.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa also participated in the event.

The plan, backed by 29 international leaders, aims to ensure security in Ukraine if a peace deal with Russia is reached.

While the troop numbers are smaller than initially discussed, the mission will rely on a broad coalition for logistical and intelligence support.

BACKGROUND:

Following an online meeting of the coalition of the willing on 15 March, Starmer announced that military officials would gather in the UK on Thursday 20 March.

This will be to plan how to strengthen a future peace agreement.

Starmer presented plans for a Western peacekeeping force of over 10,000 soldiers for Ukraine during a meeting of the leaders of the coalition of the willing on 15 March.

However, Starmer added that any post-ceasefire plans for Ukraine would need to involve cooperation with the United States.

The UK has been an active contributor to UN peacekeeping missions, providing financial support and deploying personnel.

The UK has also contributed by determining UN Security mandates.

Currently, the UK has personnel supporting UN peacekeeping operations in Cyprus, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Lebanon and Sudan.

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