Thousands of British troops could lead a multi-national military force in Ukraine as part of controversial plans to end the conflict with Russia. The shock proposal emerged last night as Vladimir Putin – in his first remarks since Donald Trump's election victory – dismissed Nato as 'a blatant anachronism'
Under a peace bid being considered by Mr Trump's security advisers, UK and other European troops would enforce an 800-mile buffer zone between the Russian and Ukrainian armies. Yesterday President Zelensky met European leaders in Budapest at a summit of the European Political Community, where he warned offering concessions to Russia would be 'suicidal' for Europe.
No United States troops would be sent to the warzone and it would be for Britain and other states to pick up the tab. The plan, first reported in the Wall Street Journal, matches the isolationist rhetoric of Mr Trump's presidential bid. On the campaign trail Mr Trump criticised the scale of US support for Ukraine – a commitment of $175 billion – and boasted he could broker a deal to end the conflict.
The plan, as outlined, favours Russia and is exactly what the Kremlin wants to hear.' Former UK military intelligence officer Philip Ingram added: 'Any forced peace that would give Russia a veneer of winning territory would potentially stimulate World War Three.'
I question whether the UK could muster and sustain a sufficient number of troops to enforce an 80 mile buffer zone much less one extending 800 miles.