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Former UK Defence Ministers Grant Shepps and Gavin Williamson have proposed sending British troops to Ukraine as part of a post-conflict peacekeeping effort. In an interview with The Telegraph published on 12 January, they also stressed the need to help Ukraine join NATO.

“British involvement in peacekeeping missions would be undoubtedly welcome, but it is only part of what Ukraine really needs,” said Shepps. He shared that the UK should take responsibility not only for restoring peace, but also for ensuring Ukraine’s long-term security.

Williamson, in turn, stressed that “consolidating peace and security in Ukraine will require concrete, physical efforts”. He believes it is critical that Ukraine’s future security is supported from the outside, whether through NATO or reliable partners like the UK.

These statements gained particular resonance against the backdrop of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s statement that the deployment of international military contingents would be “one of the best tools” to force Russia to peace. “We have to be brave, and we have to offer really strong tools,” Zelenskyy said, welcoming the UK’s support.

The proposals of the former ministers and Zelenskyy’s proactive stance are part of a broader discussion among European leaders about the future of Ukraine’s recovery and long-term security.