Britain is likely to abandon plans to send thousands of troops to protect Ukraine because the risks are deemed “too high”, it can be revealed.
In an apparent softening of plans, Britain and Europe would no longer have a ground force guarding key cities, ports and nuclear power plants to secure the peace.
It is hoped that this change in military support for Ukraine could see Moscow move its red lines to achieve a peace deal.
Instead, the focus for a security commitment to Ukraine would be on the reconstitution and rearmament of Kyiv’s army, with protection from the air and sea.
British and French military trainers would be sent to western Ukraine. This would fulfill a commitment to put forces inside the country, however they would not be near the front line, guard key installations or be there to protect Ukrainian troops.
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Aircraft would protect Ukraine’s air space and provide air cover to western troops on the ground. Turkey would play a maritime role under the most likely plans being considered.
Weapons from the UK and Europe would continue to flow so Ukraine would be in a strong position should Russia break the terms of any deal. Nothing has yet been ruled out and the Ministry of Defence is clear that Britain would not be prepared to abandon plans to send troops to the country in some capacity.
A source involved in discussions about a “coalition of the willing” said of plans for a force of tens of thousands of ground troops: “The risks are too high and the forces inadequate for such a task.
“This was always the UK’s thought. It was France who wanted a more muscular approach.”
“The trainers ‘reassure’ by being there but aren’t a deterrence or protection force,” the source said, adding that the risk of getting embroiled in a wider war if a ceasefire broke down was deemed to be too high.
The need to deploy a huge force across Ukraine could affect Britain and Europe’s commitment to Nato’s eastern flank, some fear.
Diplomatic efforts are grinding on to get all parties to agree to a ceasefire deal, with the looming threat from the US that it may give up if Ukraine does not move from its current position.
British and French officials are understood to be trying to persuade President Trump to agree to a meeting with President Zelensky on Saturday, after the Pope’s funeral, in an attempt to smooth over tensions and make some headway on a deal.
A British diplomatic source said there was an “obvious opportunity” for discussions after the funeral in Rome, given who would be attending. There are also plans for Sir Keir Starmer to meet President Macron during the day.
The Times understands that Operation Interflex, the mission to train Ukrainian forces in Britain, would end in the UK by the end of the year. Training would move to a location near Lviv, in western Ukraine.
However, there are concerns in Ukraine that any training force would pull out at the first sign of trouble, as the British did in the days leading up to the full scale invasion.
Officials do not believe President Putin would be willing to accept a “one-sided” peacekeeping force on the ground in Ukraine. It is understood security guarantees and territory are the key areas for negotiation with Russia.
A diplomatic source told The Times: “We will move our position but we want Moscow to break their red lines.”
It is understood that the UK insisted in Wednesday’s talks in London that Britain and Europe must be able to re-arm Ukraine as part of its security guarantees.
“Our problem now is to try and find a landing zone where Ukraine doesn’t have to break all its red lines,” added the diplomatic source. Ukraine made clear in the talks that it was not the aggressor.
The mood in Whitehall is bleak, with one government source saying it was a “serious moment”.
“The pressure needs to be ramped up on Russia,” said the source, comparing Trump’s attacks on Zelensky with his softer approach to Putin, who started the war.
Western officials had previously said discussions would involve troops protecting key cities, ports and critical national infrastructure and a force of up to 30,000. They would be backed by aircraft, such as Typhoons, patrolling the skies above Ukraine, plus monitoring equipment such as drones.
A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: “This is speculation. Advanced operational planning within the coalition of the willing remains ongoing for options across land, sea and air, and to regenerate the Ukrainian armed forces. In the meantime, we’re continuing to support efforts for peace, while stepping up the military support for Ukraine as Putin’s illegal invasion continues.”
