UK could serve as Ukraine’s ‘protector’ against future Russian attacks: Peace talks may result in Western allies agreeing to military response to guarantee Kyiv’s security if Putin’s forces withdraw
- UK and its ‘international partners’ said to be discussing guaranteeing Ukraine’s security – including possible military action in event of another Russian invasion
- Kremlin is demanding that Ukraine ‘demilitarise’ as part of any peace deal
- In return, Ukraine insists that Western countries act as guarantors that could intervene in the event of further aggression
Britain could act as a guarantor of Ukraine’s future security as part of a peace deal with Russia, it emerged last night.
The UK and its ‘international partners’ are said to be discussing guaranteeing Ukraine’s security if Vladimir Putin’s forces withdraw – including possible military action in the event of another Russian invasion.
The Kremlin is demanding that Ukraine ‘demilitarise’ as part of any peace deal. In return, Ukraine insists that Western countries act as guarantors that could intervene in the event of further aggression.
Britain could act as a guarantor of Ukraine’s future security as part of a peace deal with Russia, it emerged last night. Pictured: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addresses MPs in the House of Commons via videolink on March 8
UK Royal Marines attend the winter warfare training ahead of the Cold Response 2022, near Bardufoss, Norway, on Thursday
A woman cries in front of a block of flats, which was destroyed by Russian strikes in the besieged southern port city of Mariupol on Thursday
Asked about the possibility of UK involvement, a Western official said: ‘In terms of Britain’s position as a guarantor, that is the subject of conversations with international partners.
‘Obviously, it has been asked for but the terms are very important before anyone could say Yay or Nay. And it is not something that would happen without very concerted discussion with international partners.’
It came as the UK announced plans to supply air-defence systems to Poland to protect it from any Russian incursions.
No10 also left the door open to a possible role in holding the peace in Ukraine, but said the issue was still ‘quite far down the road’.
The UK announced plans to supply air-defence systems to Poland to protect it from any Russian incursions. Pictured: British PM Boris Johnson chairs a meeting of the leaders of the the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF), a coalition of 10 states focused on security in northern Europe, at Lancaster House, in London on March 15
MPs give a standing ovation after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed MPs in the House of Commons via videolink on the latest situation in Ukraine on March 8
Local residents, who seek refuge in the basement of a building during Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, are seen in the besieged southern port city of Mariupol, Ukraine, on March 17
Boris Johnson’s spokesman said the UK had not yet had a ‘formal request’ from Volodymyr Zelensky, adding: ‘We will support President Zelensky and Ukraine in pursuing a diplomatic path if that is what they wish. But, clearly, the first route to that must be a ceasefire, and we’ve seen no sign of that.’
Ukraine has not spelled out the terms of the ‘security guarantees’ it is seeking.
But its top negotiator, Mykhailo Podolyak, suggested this week that countries would be asked to guarantee that they would intervene militarily in the event of a further Russian invasion – something Nato countries have so far refused to do because of the risk of triggering a world war.
He said any deal would have to involve a legally binding security agreement, signed by international partners who would ‘not stand aside in the event of an attack on Ukraine, as they do today’.
Western officials yesterday said both sides appeared to be taking the peace talks ‘seriously’, but warned there was a ‘very, very big gap between their positions’.
Evacuee fleeing Ukraine-Russia conflict sit in the body of a cargo vehicle while waiting in a line to leave the besieged southern port city of Mariupol, Ukraine, on March 17
President Zelensky suggested Ukraine could drop its ambition to join Nato. But there is little sign of compromise on Russia’s demand that Ukraine permanently relinquish Crimea and territory it has seized in the Donbas region.
Yesterday, Turkey offered to host peace talks between Putin and President Zelensky.
The Ukrainian leader has praised Britain for supporting Ukraine, including providing anti-tank weapons. Sources yesterday confirmed that the UK will supply Starstreak anti-aircraft missiles to Ukraine.
The UK is also to supply Sky Sabre missiles and 100 personnel to Poland to ‘protect her airspace from any further aggression by Russia’.
The Prime Minister’s spokesman said: ‘It is a purely defensive capability. It will remain under UK control at all times.’
On Sunday, Russia struck a Ukrainian base 12 miles from Poland. Its drones are also said to have trespassed in Polish airspace.
Source: Read Full Article
