Russian confrontation with peacekeepers ‘would be an extraordinary escalation’

Sunday 16 March 2025 2:34 pm

Russian troopers confronting British troops in Ukraine could be an “extraordinary escalation”, a minister has stated as talks proceed on a doable Western peacekeeping operation.

Wes Streeting advised on Sunday morning that the prospect of such a confrontation could be enough to discourage Russia from breaching any ceasefire settlement reached with Ukraine.

He instructed Sky Information’s Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips: “I believe it will be a unprecedented escalation for Russian troops to search out themselves in battle with British troops.”

His feedback comply with a digital assembly of world leaders on Saturday, convened by Keir Starmer, to debate commitments to a “coalition of the prepared” that might contribute to a peacekeeping operation.

The Prime Minister introduced that planning was now transferring into an “operational part”, with army chiefs set to satisfy in London on Thursday to formulate “strong” plans.

Streeting added: “What Thursday is about, the place the Prime Minister and the UK are convening army leaders from throughout allied nations, is about having a severe plan, a severe army technique to safe a peace.”

Dialogue of peacekeeping forces comes after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated he could be prepared to comply with an unconditional 30-day ceasefire with Russia as a step in direction of an enduring peace deal.

Western safety ensures have been seen as essential to deterring additional Russian aggression within the occasion of such a deal.

However up to now, the Kremlin has resisted proposals for an unconditional ceasefire, insisting Ukraine should abandon its makes an attempt to hitch Nato and cede a few of its territory to Russia earlier than any pause in hostilities.

On Sunday, Finnish President Alexander Stubb stated the prospects of Vladimir Putin coming into severe peace negotiations had been “abysmal”.

Stubb, who was one among 30 world leaders on Saturday’s name, instructed the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg: “I don’t suppose Putin doesn’t need a ceasefire. Putin doesn’t need peace.

“His unique goal was mainly to destroy the impartial sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. Mainly to have Ukraine ceasing to exist. He hasn’t modified his goal and that is what all of us across the desk have to grasp.”

It additionally stays unclear what type any peacekeeping power may take.

Starmer stated “new commitments” had been made throughout Saturday’s name, however didn’t broaden on what these had been, whereas Stubb stated Finland was prepared to take “concrete measures” nevertheless it was “too early to speak about boots on the bottom” as there was “no peace course of”.

Former nationwide safety adviser Lord Peter Ricketts additionally advised an absence of US assist may scupper a peacekeeping operation.

He instructed Sky Information: “I simply don’t suppose Trump goes to present that sort of dedication, so whereas I like the work going into this, and perhaps there are methods that European forces can assist in Ukraine… I believe a fashioned combating power is a substantial threat with out an American clear assure.”

By Christopher McKeon, Ted Hennessey and Emily Smith, PA