The U.K. is ready to send troops to Ukraine if President Trump can secure a peace deal during his upcoming meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, British Defense Secretary John Healey said Monday in a speech at London’s Mansion House.
Mr. Healey stated that more than 200 military planners from 30 countries have been preparing for an international security deployment to Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire between Kyiv and Moscow.
“Peace is possible,” Mr. Healey said. “If President Trump can broker a peace, then we will be ready to secure that peace for the long term.”
He said Mr. Trump has forcefully — and rightly — challenged America’s NATO allies to shoulder more responsibility for Europe’s security following Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
“We have stepped up to start to meet the challenges of this new era with the largest increase in defense spending since the end of the Cold War [and] with a new NATO benchmark of 5% of GDP spent on defense and security by 2035,” Mr. Healey said.
He said he’s reviewing British military readiness levels and accelerating millions of pounds in funding for possible deployment of troops to Ukraine.
“Because a sovereign Ukraine is important to the security of us all,” he said.
• Mike Glenn can be reached at mglenn@washingtontimes.com.
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