Britain is prepared to spend more than £100 million to support the potential deployment of its troops to Ukraine, but only if US President Donald Trump brokers a peace agreement between Kyiv and Moscow, UK Defence Secretary John Healey said.
Speaking at London’s historic Mansion House, as per Sky News, Healey outlined a plan to form a Multinational Force Ukraine with personnnel from a coalition of more than 30 nations, spearheaded by the UK and France, designed to help secure Ukraine’s borders, skies and seas – if a ceasefire is reached.
“As President Trump leads the push for peace here in Europe, we are ready to lead the work to secure it in the long term,” Healey said, adding that he is already reviewing military readiness and fast-tracking “millions of pounds” in funding to prepare for a possible deployment.
The mission could include British troops on the ground, Healey confirmed, with some of the anticipated funds already being spent.
“It will be well over £100 million,” he said, describing the UK’s ongoing military and financial support for Ukraine — including a record £4.5 billion this year — as proof of Britain’s commitment.
“This is why President Zelensky calls the UK his closest ally,” he noted.
“This is why Putin ranks Britain as his number one enemy.”
Healey warned that Europe faces a “new era of threat” and said the risk of wider conflict on the continent is at its highest since the end of the Second World War. Yet he stressed that Russian aggression has only strengthened NATO’s resolve.
“As Russia’s aggression grows in Ukraine and beyond its borders, Britain and our NATO allies stand more unified, and stronger,” he said.
In August Kyiv Post reported that around 10 countries, led by Britain and France, may send troops to Ukraine under a new peace framework, with US backing but no American boots on the ground.
According to Bloomberg, citing people familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity, officials discussed the deployment of British and French soldiers, including the size and positioning of forces, at a meeting on Tuesday.
“About 10 countries would be ready to send forces to the war-battered nation,” the report reads.