A SENIOR minister says British troops being confronted by Russian soldiers in Ukraine would be an “extraordinary escalation” – as talks continue on a peacekeeping force.
Cabinet Minister Wes Streeting indicated that the Kremlin wouldn’t breach a ceasefire deal knowing a Western operation was on its border.
Firefighters struggle to contain a blaze after a drone hit a building in Ukraine[/caption]
The warning shot came as military chiefs meet in London on Thursday ahead on a planned operational phase being deployed to the region.
Sir Keir Starmer held talks with thirty world leaders on Saturday over countries ready to be part of the “coalition of the willing”.
But Mr Streeting told Sky News: “I think it would be an extraordinary escalation for Russian troops to find themselves in conflict with British troops.”
He added added: “What Thursday is about, where the Prime Minister and the UK are convening military leaders from across allied countries, is about having a serious plan, a serious military strategy to secure a peace.”
Ukraine has agreed to a thirty-day ceasefire deal but Vladimir Putin says that “questions” remain about the nature of any truce.
But Finnish President Alexander Stubb said the prospects of Vladimir Putin entering serious peace negotiations were “abysmal”.
He said: “I don’t think Putin doesn’t want a ceasefire. Putin doesn’t want peace.
“His original aim was basically to destroy the independent sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. Basically to have Ukraine ceasing to exist.
“He hasn’t changed his aim and this is what all of us around the table have to understand.”
Ex-national security adviser Lord Peter Ricketts also indicated a lack of US backstop could scupper a peacekeeping operation.
He told Sky News: “I just don’t think Trump is going to give that kind of commitment.
He added: “I think a formed fighting force is a considerable risk without an American clear guarantee.”
Plans for a European peacekeeping force of more than 10,000 troops in post-war Ukraine were made at Keir Starmer’s “coalition of the willing” meeting on Saturday, sources revealed.
Government sources told the Sunday Times that “considerably more” than the three countries that initially offered to send troops have backed Sir Keir’s plan.
Meanwhile, French president Emmanuel Macron yesterday said Russia will have no say in whether foreign troops are deployed to Ukraine to ensure a future ceasefire.
