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UK may abandon plans to deploy large troop force to Ukraine, the Times reports
kyivindependent.com ^ | April 25, 2025 | Olena Goncharova

Posted on 04/25/2025 7:39:57 AM PDT by ransomnote

The U.K. is expected to scale back earlier proposals to deploy thousands of ground troops to Ukraine, as officials warn the risks are now considered "too high" for such a mission.

The original plan, which included protecting Ukrainian cities, ports, and nuclear power plants, is being reconsidered in favor of a more limited and strategic presence. A source involved in the discussions told the Times, "The risks are too high and the forces inadequate for such a task. This was always the U.K.’s thought. It was France who wanted a more muscular approach."

On March 15, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer presented plans to send 10,000 peacekeeping troops to Ukraine at a high-level virtual summit in London. The peacekeeping mission would be "a significant force with a significant number of countries providing troops and a much larger group contributing in other ways,"  a senior government source told the Sunday Times.

Instead of placing troops near the front lines, the U.K. and France now aim to send military trainers to western Ukraine, fulfilling a commitment to deploy personnel without engaging in direct defense roles.

"The trainers ‘reassure’ by being there but aren’t a deterrence or protection force," the source added, expressing concern that any breakdown in a ceasefire could escalate into a broader conflict. The revised approach would shift focus toward rebuilding and equipping Ukraine’s military, with continued weapons deliveries and air and sea protection measures forming the backbone of future support.

Operation Interflex, the U.K.’s domestic training mission for Ukrainian troops, is expected to wind down by the end of the year, with operations relocating to a base near Lviv. However, Ukrainian officials remain cautious, recalling how Western trainers withdrew just before Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.

"Our problem now is to try and find a landing zone where Ukraine doesn’t have to break all its red lines," said a diplomatic source.

European and British officials are also working behind the scenes to advance peace talks, hoping to arrange a meeting between President Donald Trump and President Volodymyr Zelensky in Rome following the Pope’s funeral. “We will move our position but we want Moscow to break their red lines,” one diplomatic source explained.

The push comes amid growing fears that U.S. support could waver if Ukraine refuses to make concessions, particularly as Trump maintains a tougher stance on Zelensky than on Putin, according to British officials.

Ukraine remains under pressure to respond to a broader U.S. peace plan first presented in Paris on April 17. According to the Wall Street Journal, that plan includes U.S. recognition of Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea and a ban on Ukraine joining NATO — two long-standing Kremlin demands.

Despite the revised strategy, the U.K. insists it remains committed to Ukraine’s defense, according to the Times. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Defense responded to reports of the plan change by saying, "This is speculation. Advanced operational planning within the coalition of the willing remains ongoing for options across land, sea and air, and to regenerate the Ukrainian armed forces. In the meantime, we’re continuing to support efforts for peace, while stepping up the military support for Ukraine as Putin’s illegal invasion continues."



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To: ransomnote

Looks like it’s more SHOOT FIRST, ASK QUESTIONS LATER in most of these announced plans to do such and such...”on second thought, not going to do it”! Getting to be a habit of politicians. Didn’t make any sense when they said it months ago!


41 posted on 04/25/2025 9:43:49 AM PDT by Thank You Rush ( )
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To: Jan_Sobieski

The Brits have more admirals than they have ships so they can spare a few for the front lines in Ukraine.


42 posted on 04/25/2025 9:47:29 AM PDT by rdcbn1 (TV )
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To: ransomnote

The UK has about 70,000 people total in its army. Of those only 19,000 are deployable.

That’s the entire British Army.

“Large” troop presence? What would that be in UK terms - a brigade?


43 posted on 04/25/2025 10:03:23 AM PDT by FLT-bird
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To: ransomnote
Instead of placing troops near the front lines, the U.K. and France now aim to send military trainers to western Ukraine, fulfilling a commitment to deploy personnel without engaging in direct defense roles.

A.K.A. REMF

44 posted on 04/25/2025 10:04:37 AM PDT by KarlInOhio (May Rachel Zegler and Disney never know profits.)
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To: Georgia Girl 2
In the General/Chat forum, on a thread titled Q ~ Trust Trump's Plan ~ 03/01/2025 Vol.505, Q Day 2682, ransomnote wrote:
https://x.com/MarioNawfal/status/1896000661084577938




45 posted on 04/25/2025 10:43:30 AM PDT by ransomnote (IN GOD WE TRUST)
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To: ransomnote

At this point the UK could not defend itself much less the Ukraine.


46 posted on 04/25/2025 1:23:26 PM PDT by Georgia Girl 2 (The only purpose of a pistol is to fight your way back to the rifle you should never have dropped)
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To: ransomnote

“The UK doesn’t have the troops/equipment and never sincerely planned to deploy in the first place, IMHO. But they all want the US to deploy - we’re to be the ultimate proxy for the UK.”

You got it. It was gonna be us all along. Those Euros are too smart and sophisticated for this, let those dumb Kansas farmboys die in the shit and the mud and the blood. The Frogs maybe, could, might send the Foreign Legion and the Brits might, could, maybe send the Gurkhas. I’ll bet my firstborn they’ll never send any actual Frenchmen or British.


47 posted on 04/26/2025 3:50:53 AM PDT by rxh4n1
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To: packrat35

Meanwhile Europe’s Deep States are the real clear and present danger to the citizenry.


48 posted on 04/26/2025 4:00:39 AM PDT by mewzilla (Swing away, Mr. President, swing away!)
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