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Boris Johnson Urges Immediate Deployment of Non‑Combat UK Troops to Ukraine

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  • President Donald Trump greets Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at his Mar-a-Lago club, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Palm Beach, Fla.
    President Donald Trump greets Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at his Mar-a-Lago club, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Palm Beach, Fla.
    Image: Newsweek
    President Donald Trump greets Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at his Mar-a-Lago club, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Palm Beach, Fla. Source Full size
  • A Ukranian soldier walks near a home destroyed by Russian troops in Kharkiv in Janaury 2025
    A Ukranian soldier walks near a home destroyed by Russian troops in Kharkiv in Janaury 2025
    Image: BBC
    A Ukranian soldier walks near a home destroyed by Russian troops in Kharkiv in Janaury 2025 (EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock) Source Full size
  • The talks between Russia and Ukraine in Switzerland are being mediated by Steve Witkoff.
    The talks between Russia and Ukraine in Switzerland are being mediated by Steve Witkoff.
    Image: BBC
    The talks between Russia and Ukraine in Switzerland are being mediated by Steve Witkoff. (Getty Images) Source Full size
  • In this photo provided by Ukraine’s 93rd Kholodnyi Yar Separate Mechanized Brigade press service, a soldier looks out of a shelter near Kostyantynivka, in the Donetsk region, Ukraine, Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025.
    In this photo provided by Ukraine’s 93rd Kholodnyi Yar Separate Mechanized Brigade press service, a soldier looks out of a shelter near Kostyantynivka, in the Donetsk region, Ukraine, Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025.
    Image: Newsweek
    In this photo provided by Ukraine’s 93rd Kholodnyi Yar Separate Mechanized Brigade press service, a soldier looks out of a shelter near Kostyantynivka, in the Donetsk region, Ukraine, Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. Source Full size
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  • A Ukranian soldier walks near a home destroyed by Russian troops in Kharkiv in Janaury 2025
    A Ukranian soldier walks near a home destroyed by Russian troops in Kharkiv in Janaury 2025
    Image: BBC
    A Ukranian soldier walks near a home destroyed by Russian troops in Kharkiv in Janaury 2025 (EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock) Source Full size
  • Johnson believes almost a decade of foreign policy mistakes led to the Ukraine war
    Johnson believes almost a decade of foreign policy mistakes led to the Ukraine war
    Image: BBC
    Johnson believes almost a decade of foreign policy mistakes led to the Ukraine war (Getty Images) Source Full size
  • The talks between Russia and Ukraine in Switzerland are being mediated by Steve Witkoff.
    The talks between Russia and Ukraine in Switzerland are being mediated by Steve Witkoff.
    Image: BBC
    The talks between Russia and Ukraine in Switzerland are being mediated by Steve Witkoff. (Getty Images) Source Full size
  • President Donald Trump greets Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at his Mar-a-Lago club, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Palm Beach, Fla.
    President Donald Trump greets Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at his Mar-a-Lago club, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Palm Beach, Fla.
    Image: Newsweek
    President Donald Trump greets Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at his Mar-a-Lago club, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025, in Palm Beach, Fla. Source Full size
  • In this photo provided by Ukraine’s 93rd Kholodnyi Yar Separate Mechanized Brigade press service, a soldier looks out of a shelter near Kostyantynivka, in the Donetsk region, Ukraine, Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025.
    In this photo provided by Ukraine’s 93rd Kholodnyi Yar Separate Mechanized Brigade press service, a soldier looks out of a shelter near Kostyantynivka, in the Donetsk region, Ukraine, Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025.
    Image: Newsweek
    In this photo provided by Ukraine’s 93rd Kholodnyi Yar Separate Mechanized Brigade press service, a soldier looks out of a shelter near Kostyantynivka, in the Donetsk region, Ukraine, Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2025. Source Full size
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Johnson Calls for Non‑Combat Troops Ahead of Invasion Anniversary Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson publicly urged the United Kingdom and its allies to send non‑combat personnel to Ukraine on 21 February 2026, arguing that a peace‑keeping presence would signal Western resolve before the war’s fourth anniversary [1][2].

Deployment Planned Only After Ceasefire, Part of Coalition Johnson stressed that any British contingent would operate solely in tranquil zones after a negotiated ceasefire, joining a “coalition of the willing” that the Ministry of Defence is already coordinating with partner nations [1][2].

UK Boosts Defence Aid While Preparing Peace‑keeping Force The MoD highlighted a record‑high aid package, including a £500 million air‑defence purchase and £200 million earmarked for peace‑keeper preparation, with more than 30 countries slated to contribute to the multinational force [2].

Johnson Blames Past Western Inaction for Current Conflict He linked the war to earlier Western hesitations—failure to punish Russia after the 2014 Crimea annexation, the muted response to Syrian chemical attacks, and the chaotic withdrawals from Afghanistan—asserting these lapses emboldened Vladimir Putin [1][2].

Putin’s Warning That Foreign Troops Would Be Legitimate Targets Johnson reminded listeners that Putin declared in September 2025 that any foreign troops deployed to Ukraine would be lawful targets, a stance he argues should not deter a non‑combat mission [1][2].

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Timeline

2014 – Russia annexes Crimea, a move that Boris Johnson later blames for Western hesitation and Putin’s emboldenment [1].

2021 – The United States and Russia suspend regular senior‑level military‑to‑military contacts, a channel that remains dormant until early 2026 [3].

Dec 2, 2025 – President Vladimir Putin rejects the U.S.‑drafted peace proposal, refusing any compromise short of his original war goals and ending the meeting without an agreement [29].

Dec 3, 2025 – NATO Secretary‑General Mark Rutte tells Putin “we’re not going anywhere,” urging allies to spend at least 5 % of GDP on defence as Russia ramps up its military spending [24].

Dec 7, 2025 – Donald Trump Jr. warns at the Doha Forum that his father may walk away from Ukraine as peace efforts stall, reflecting growing U.S. frustration [22].

Dec 8, 2025 – At the Kennedy Center, President Donald Trump accuses President Zelensky of delaying the 28‑point peace plan, framing Kyiv as dependent on his approval [21].

Dec 10, 2025 – Ukraine sends a formal response to the U.S.‑drafted 20‑point peace plan, emphasizing security guarantees, a demilitarised zone and a pathway to EU membership by 2027 [20].

Dec 11, 2025 – President Zelensky convenes a video‑conference with about 30 allied leaders to coordinate on peace terms, a rapid move prompted by Trump’s pressure on Kyiv [19].

Dec 14, 2025 – Zelensky offers to abandon Ukraine’s NATO bid in exchange for legally binding security guarantees, meeting U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin [18].

Dec 17, 2025 – Putin claims Russia holds the strategic initiative across the entire front line and says Russian forces have captured roughly 300 Ukrainian settlements in 2025 [17].

Dec 19, 2025 – Zelensky visits Warsaw, where President Karol Nawrocki welcomes him and the two discuss continued aid, deterrence and the role of Poland in any future security guarantees [16].

Dec 23, 2025 – Zelensky tells reporters that U.S.–led talks are “solid,” noting that about 90 % of Kyiv’s demands are reflected in draft agreements [15].

Dec 24, 2025 – Zelensky proposes a free‑economic zone in a demilitarised eastern Ukraine as a peace option, part of a revised 20‑point plan that still lacks Russian consent [14].

Dec 27, 2025 – Trump tells Politico that Zelensky “has nothing until I approve it,” underscoring the president’s claim to control the peace process [13].

Dec 31, 2025 – Putin projects confidence, pledging to “liberate” Donbas and Novorossiya and framing the war as nearing a “grim milestone” despite heavy Russian casualties [12].

Jan 1, 2026 – Zelensky invites Trump to Ukraine, saying a presidential visit would signal momentum toward a ceasefire after their Florida talks [11].

Jan 3, 2026 – European security advisers gather in Kyiv to hash security guarantees and an ≈$800 billion reconstruction package; documents are shared with 18 advisers [10].

Jan 7, 2026 – Zelensky says allies have not offered clear, legally binding security guarantees; the UK and France sign a declaration of intent to deploy troops after a peace deal [9].

Jan 21, 2026 – Trump announces he will meet Zelensky in Davos while Kyiv endures a bitter winter with 4,000 buildings without heating and 60 % of the city without power [8].

Jan 23, 2026 – The first trilateral Ukraine‑Russia‑U.S. security talks launch in Abu Dhavi, creating a working group on security issues; Russia’s Admiral Igor Kostyukov leads its delegation [7].

Jan 23, 2026 – Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov describes the Abu Dhabi talks as “substantive, constructive and confidential,” but stresses that any durable peace hinges on resolving territorial questions [7].

Jan 26, 2026 – The U.S.–Ukrainian security guarantee document is “100 % ready” and awaits parliamentary signatures; the EU adds a “layer” of guarantees and a 2027 EU‑membership pathway [28].

Jan 27, 2026 – The United States and the European Union finalize security and economic guarantees, establishing a “Coalition of the Willing” and pledging a path to EU accession by 2027 [28].

Jan 30, 2026 – U.S.‑Ukraine security guarantees are finalized, with consensus on a small EU troop contingent backed by the United States; a U.S. representative may attend Abu Dhabi talks on Feb 1 [27].

Feb 2, 2026 – Russia launches a record‑breaking missile and drone barrage, striking eight Ukrainian regions despite a claimed temporary pause in attacks [30].

Feb 4, 2026 – The second round of Abu Dhabi trilateral talks takes place; Ukraine’s Rustem Umerov calls them “meaningful and productive,” while the Kremlin declares Western troop guarantees “categorically unacceptable” [26, 30].

Feb 4, 2026 – Russia expands its Unmanned Systems Forces, adding regiments, battalions and a division for 2026 [26].

Feb 4, 2026 – Ukraine appoints Major General Oleh Luhovskyi as acting head of the Foreign Intelligence Service [26].

Feb 4, 2026 – The United States secures a new LNG supply route to Ukraine via the Vertical Gas Corridor, with the first cargo slated for March 2026 [26].

Feb 5, 2026 – Senior U.S. and Russian officers resume regular senior‑level military‑to‑military dialogue on the margins of Abu Dhabi talks, aiming to reduce miscalculation and build peace [3].

Feb 5, 2026 – The United States and Russia discuss a six‑month bridge to extend the New START treaty after its Feb 5 expiry, seeking an informal continuation while a new deal is negotiated [6].

Feb 5, 2026 – Ukraine strikes Russia’s Kapustin Yar launch site with FP‑5 Flamingo cruise missiles, damaging missile‑preparation hangars [6].

Feb 5, 2026 – Ukraine begins registering Starlink terminals to deny Russian communications and drone control, enhancing battlefield air interdiction [6].

Feb 10, 2026 – Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov tells RT that Western security guarantees are “practically an ultimatum” and reiterates Russia’s demand for a “neutral, friendly” Ukraine [6].

Feb 18, 2026 – U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff declares that the first day of Geneva talks yields “meaningful progress” toward ending the war, praising President Trump’s role and urging continuation on the following day [2].

Feb 20, 2026 – A third day of Geneva negotiations is scheduled, with U.S., Ukrainian and Russian teams set to meet to push a security‑framework proposal [2].

Feb 21, 2026 – Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson urges the immediate deployment of non‑combat UK troops to Ukraine, arguing it would “flip a switch” in Putin’s mind and demonstrate support for a free Ukraine [1].

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