Quotes
I’m prepared to consider committing British forces on the ground, alongside others, if there is a lasting peace agreement
The UK prime minister added
We’re seeing a gulf between the US and Europe the likes of which we haven’t seen since before the second world war,
Dan Sabbagh, the Guardian’s defence and security editor, tells Hannah MooreWith the UK being a member of NATO, it is not impartial in this war, and the UK Government’s treatment of Ukraine and refugees since the start of the conflict has shown its support of the country."
Dr Hamourtziadou said
The only civilian deaths this could prevent are British citizens who have travelled to Ukraine to support the military there, with at least 15 Britons dying on the front line."
She added
Do you involve the Turks? Turkey is a NATO country, and maybe they could provide the numbers. Russians may find that tolerable,
Freedman said
For example, a recent poll in Germany revealed that a staggering 59% of the public would support a deployment of the Bundeswehr, together with other European troops, to uphold a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia,
German think tank SWP said, but not without a US backupBy summer, NATO will communicate capability targets to the individual governments. [German news magazine] Spiegel reported in June that Germany will likely need 'upward of 272,000 troops' to implement the plans,
added LossFor every soldier, you need one in training and another recuperating, so my rough assessment is that overall you need at least 100,000 troops,
said FreedmanBoots on the ground face a threat. Countries that will deploy them also face threats, especially hybrid threats or even assassinations,
added LossIt's early days. There can be no such force without a sustainable deal,
Lawrence Freedman, an eminent military historian and strategist, told DWThe dilemma the Europeans face is: Where do they get those troops from? Pulling [them] from the border with Russia makes them vulnerable,
Rafael Loss, an expert on security affairs and a fellow with the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR), told DW
We do not plan to send Polish soldiers to the territory of Ukraine,
Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk told reportersThe end of this war, when it comes, cannot merely become a temporary pause before [Russian President Vladimir] Putin attacks again,
added StarmerThe Bundeswehr’s current size is 181,000, with a pre-2022 goal to grow to 203,000 [by] 2031,
he saidAlmost all European states reject such a mission without US participation as too risky. However, they could imagine participating if the US decided to do so. A British-French leadership role is not enough for most Europeans,
it saidAnd it shouldn't be called a peacekeeping force, which is supposedly impartial. This is a deterrent force, a reassurance force, designed to deter Russia,
he saidThis isn't just about the frontline in Ukraine. It's the frontline of Europe and of the United Kingdom. It's our national security”.
On Monday he explained why
So my understanding of what the PM has said to date is that it is absolutely essential that any security guarantee is done in partnership with the US
Asked about the prospect of Mr Trump not offering a 'backstop' - and Germany, Poland and Spain remaining hesitant about a peacekeeping force - she said
Our European partners have confirmed that they will stand with Ukraine regardless of the position of the USA
Mr Sak addedIt's not an unhappy day for us, because we fully understand that this negotiating process is only beginning, and it will be a very complex and nuanced negotiating process
Yuriy Sak, adviser to Ukraine's minister of strategic industries, told BBC Radio 4: