British Defense Secretary John Healey told The Times he’s considering sending military trainers to Ukraine.
The Times reports that UK Defense Secretary John Healey is exploring the possibility of deploying British military instructors to Ukraine to train Ukrainian forces. Healey emphasized the need to improve the current training program, making it more effective and responsive to Ukraine’s requirements.
Since February 2022, the UK has been a major supporter of Ukraine, training tens of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers on British soil. The Times also notes that a small number of British troops are already in Ukraine, providing medical training support.
Recently, several NATO leaders have proposed sending military personnel to Ukraine for training and assistance.
In a Wednesday article, The Times quoted Healey, during a visit to Kyiv, as saying the UK needs to better align training with Ukraine’s needs. He stated the need to improve Ukrainian access to training and assist in recruiting and motivating more soldiers.
When asked if this would involve training in Ukraine, Healey avoided a direct answer, stating that the UK will consider Ukraine’s needs.
According to the BBC, citing anonymous sources, the defense secretary is still considering this option. During his Kyiv visit, Healey asserted that Russia is failing and that more pressure can be applied to Moscow.
Last month, Le Monde reported that the UK and France had restarted discussions on deploying troops to Ukraine. Earlier this year, French President Emmanuel Macron indicated he wouldn’t rule out such a deployment; however, many NATO allies quickly rejected the idea.
Even Estonia’s defense minister, a strong Ukraine supporter, expressed reservations about deploying troops, stating in late November that the risks would outweigh the benefits.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated at the time that there is no Western consensus on sending troops to Ukraine, dismissing those advocating for it as “hotheads.”
Russian President Vladimir Putin previously warned that such a deployment could escalate into a major European and global conflict.