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Downing Street said on Monday that it expected “more than 30” country to join a coalition to help obtain lasting peace in Ukraine, although British officials have admitted that many would not be willing to put boots on the ground.
Great Britain, France and Australia reported that they were ready to send troops to help enforce a ceasefire in Ukraine, but all of them warned that any peace could only be guaranteed if the United States provided a military “security net”.
Denmark and Sweden have also said that they would be willing to bring forces in a form to any peacekeeping operation agreed in Ukraine, including the potential deployment of troops.
British Foreign Minister David Lammy insisted that if Russia rejects a ceasefire on Monday, the G7 “has more cards than we can play” to put pressure on President Vladimir Putin to arrest the conflict.
A meeting of the G7 foreign ministers last week “helped us prepare the tools so that Russia is seriously negotiating,” Lammy told the House of Commons, reporting that more sanctions and a crisis in frozen financial assets are potential following stages.
“We can go further to target their energy and defense sectors, tighten their oil income more and use frozen Russian assets,” Lammy said.
He stressed that this last option should be a “multilateral business” and highlighted the resistance of Belgium and Germany.
Lammy also announced on Monday that he had held a private meeting with US vice-president JD Vance in Washington this weekend.
Lammy said that a temporary American suspension on European allies sharing intelligence and military aid with kyiv earlier this month did not have “material effect” on Ukraine’s ability to fight Russia.
Military planners from the country joining that British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has described “a coalition of will” for peacekeeping in Ukraine should hold conferences near London on Thursday to discuss operational details.
Most of these countries are European nations, but also include Australia, Canada and New Zealand. Starmer said Japan had offered “support”.
British officials have said that a multinational force could include up to 30,000 soldiers, but military officials admitted that “sustainable” peace could only be guaranteed if it was supported by American air power and other supporters.
The Starmer spokesman said on Monday that countries could contribute to many respects, in particular by providing fast jets, engineering and logistics support and backfilling for forces engaged in other theaters.
“It is not only a question of troops,” said the spokesperson, but added: “There would be a significant force with a large number of countries.”
A group of EU countries, including Ireland, Luxembourg and Belgium, has not excluded participation in a peacekeeping force, according to the rules of commitment agreed and its legal basis.
Russia and Polish -bordering countries and Poland have been active in discussions on a peacekeeping presence without committing any of their own forces.
These countries have argued that their soldiers are required to remain to defend their nations, in case Russia uses a cease-fire to redeploy troops in a way that could threaten them.
Downing Street said: “The Prime Minister said that for the coalition of voluntary and British troops to deploy, she had to be in the context of a secure and lasting peace with us support. These discussions are underway. »»
The fact that US President Donald Trump has refused to offer American military air coverage or another support has raised major doubts about the proposed peacekeeping mission.
“No one wants to see a small number of European troops, without American support, in the shooting line in Ukraine,” said an EU diplomat. “It would put enormous pressure on NATO unity if something happens.”
