Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has called on the UK and its allies to deploy troops to Ukraine immediately — not in combat roles, but to peaceful regions of the country, to signal Western resolve to Russian ruler Vladimir Putin.
"If we can have a plan for boots on the ground after the war, after Putin has condescended to have a ceasefire, then why not do it now?" Johnson said in an interview with BBC.
Johnson specified that the deployment should involve peacetime ground forces sent to safe areas of Ukraine, framing it as a political rather than military question. "There is no logical reason that I can see why we shouldn't send peaceful ground forces there to show our support, our constitutional support for a free, independent Ukraine," he said.
Asked directly whether he meant British and other European allied troops should go to secure areas of Ukraine now to "flip a switch" in Putin's mind, Johnson replied: "Yes, I think, you know, if we are willing to do it in the context of a ceasefire, which of course puts all the initiative, all the power in Putin's hands, why not do it now?"
Speaking days before the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion, Johnson — who was prime minister when the war began — argued the conflict could have been avoided had Western allies paid more attention to Putin's growing aggression and his annexation of Crimea in 2014.
Johnson cast Ukraine's sovereignty as the central issue. "That is a political thing. It's about whether Ukraine is a free country or not. If it's a vassal state of Russia, which is what Putin wants, then obviously it's up to Putin to decide who comes to his country. If it's not, then it's up to the Ukrainians," he said.
In response to Johnson's comments, a UK Ministry of Defence spokesperson said: "We are proud of Britain's leadership in Ukraine — supporting the fight today and working to secure peace tomorrow."
The ministry pointed to the government's record, including "a recent half-billion-pound air defence package just last week, accelerating £200m for the UK military to prepare for any Ukraine deployment, and working with over 30 nations through the UK-led Coalition of the Willing."
Meanwhile, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said the United States will play a lead role in monitoring any ceasefire following a peace deal with Russia. Zelenskyy also indicated that another round of negotiations between Ukraine, Russia, and the US on potential parameters for ending the war could take place before the end of February.
Boris Johnson strongly supported Ukraine during Russia’s full‑scale invasion by helping organize Western military aid, visiting Kyiv in 2022 to pledge further weapons and financial support, and positioning himself as one of Ukraine’s most vocal advocates in Europe. He left his position as British Prime Minister in July 2022 after a wave of ministerial resignations triggered by political scandals and party‑gate controversies, agreeing to step down as Conservative leader and later as prime minister once a successor was chosen.
