Saturday, February 21, 2026-Former British prime minister Boris Johnson has taken the spotlight again by urging the United Kingdom and its European allies to immediately deploy non-combat military personnel to Ukraine — a bold proposal that could reshape Western support strategy amid the ongoing conflict with Russia.
In a recent interview, Johnson said non-combat troops should be stationed in peaceful regions of Ukraine as a strong political signal of unwavering support for Kyiv’s sovereignty. The aim, he argues, is to “flip the switch” in Russian President Vladimir Putin’s thinking and demonstrate that Western nations are fully committed to Ukraine’s future as a free and independent state.
Johnson’s stance marks a clear departure from the current Western plan, which envisages sending troops only after a negotiated ceasefire, primarily to monitor peace and stabilize post-conflict zones. British and allied policy to date has been cautious, driven by fears that any foreign military presence — even non-combat — could be perceived by Moscow as an escalation and potentially draw Western forces into direct confrontation. Russian officials have already warned that foreign troops in Ukraine could be treated as legitimate targets, underscoring the diplomatic and security risks at play.
The debate ignited by Johnson’s comments comes at a critical moment, with Western leaders wrestling over how to strengthen deterrence without broadening the war. His call for immediate deployment is as much political as military in nature — challenging allies to show firmness now rather than delaying until Russia dictates terms through a ceasefire agreement. Whether his proposal gains traction within the UK government or among European partners remains uncertain, but it has undoubtedly pushed the conversation about the next phase of support for Ukraine into sharp focus.
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