A written question from James Cartlidge (Conservative – South Suffolk) in the House of Commons raised the possibility of the UK holding discussions with the Prime Minister on deploying British troops to Ukraine in peacekeeping roles.
In response, Luke Pollard, Armed Forces Minister, stated that the Defence Secretary regularly discusses UK support to Ukraine with the Prime Minister.
Pollard replied:
“It would be inappropriate to comment further on speculation about the future. Our focus is on putting Ukraine in the strongest possible position in 2025 and supporting Ukraine’s defence against Putin’s full scale invasion. It would be inappropriate to speculate about the content of those discussions. However, the Prime Minister remains committed to putting Ukraine in the strongest possible position through 2025.”
The response underscores that while regular discussions occur at the highest levels regarding support for Ukraine, the Ministry of Defence is not prepared to comment on any potential peacekeeping roles or the specifics of future engagements. The focus, according to Pollard, remains on ensuring that Ukraine is well supported through 2025 amid ongoing security challenges posed by the Russian invasion.
Last month, the UK and Ukraine announced a landmark 100-Year Partnership, formalising their enduring friendship and strengthening collaboration across defence, technology, and economic growth. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, during his visit to meet President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Ukraine, hailed the agreement as a pivotal step in supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty and rebuilding its future in the face of ongoing Russian aggression.
The 100-Year Partnership spans nine pillars, encompassing maritime security, technological collaboration, energy strategies, and cultural exchanges. Among the most significant commitments are:
- Maritime Security Framework: Strengthening security in the Baltic Sea, Black Sea, and Azov Sea to deter Russian aggression.
- Technological and Scientific Cooperation: Partnerships in healthcare, agri-tech, space, and drone technology.
- Economic Recovery and Resilience: Launching the TIGER programme (Triggering Investment Growth and Economic Resilience) with £40 million in UK funding to support small and medium enterprises, focusing on green industries, women-led businesses, and veterans.
Prime Minister Starmer emphasised the long-term significance of the agreement:
“This is not just about the here and now, it is also about an investment in our two countries for the next century, bringing together technology development, scientific advances, and cultural exchanges.”
The agreement underscores the UK’s steadfast support for Ukraine, providing the foundation for long-term security and prosperity. Prime Minister Starmer highlighted Putin’s strategic failure, stating:
“Putin’s ambition to wrench Ukraine away from its closest partners has been a monumental strategic failure. Instead, we are closer than ever.”
The UK has committed £12.8 billion in support to Ukraine, including £7.8 billion in military aid, with a further £3 billion pledged for ongoing military assistance.
In addition to military and economic collaboration, the UK is addressing humanitarian needs and global food security through innovative measures:
- Grain Verification Scheme: A cutting-edge initiative to track stolen Ukrainian grain, developed in response to a request from Ukraine to the G7. This database will help prevent the sale of grain illegally relabelled by Russia.
- Humanitarian Aid: The UK is allocating £100 million to provide specialist medical care, including for burn victims in Ukrainian hospitals, supported by NHS doctors.
The partnership extends beyond defence and economics to foster cultural and educational exchanges. Over 100 schools in the UK and Ukraine will collaborate on programmes that build lasting friendships and promote mutual understanding.
The Prime Minister joined a Ukrainian classroom virtually connected to a Liverpool school, celebrating the power of education and cultural exchange. This initiative will enable students to explore shared values and overcome adversity through storytelling and shared experiences.
The partnership cements the UK’s role as a preferred ally in Ukraine’s energy and infrastructure rebuilding efforts, including green steel production and critical minerals strategies. An annual Strategic Dialogue will monitor the partnership’s progress to ensure its goals are met over the next century.
As Starmer noted, “Supporting Ukraine to defend itself from Russia’s barbaric invasion and rebuild a prosperous, sovereign future, is vital to this government’s foundation of security and our Plan for Change.”
This historic agreement reaffirms the UK’s commitment to standing with Ukraine in its fight for sovereignty and a brighter future.
We are going to get embarrassed if the uk has to provide troops the troops are let down from politicians in west minister who have cut and cut and cut the defence budget and capabilities. Also bad procurement choices aswell. The British military should not be in the mess it is in.
Ya, very true. We could not deploy a regular brigade on enduring peacekeeping duties in Ukraine. It would have to just be a BG.
Economic Recovery and Resilience – £40m in UK funding to help ukraine rebuild and recover, great!…. Focus on green and women-led initiatives? Why does that need to be a priority for rebuilding a war torn country…
Nice to think 2TK will not be around to see his “100 year” wet dream.