Ask Onix
Johnson calls for immediate deployment of non-combat forces
Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has urged Western allies to send non-combat troops to Ukraine immediately, arguing that waiting for a ceasefire plays into Russian President Vladimir Putin's hands. Speaking on Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, Johnson said the move would send a clear message about Ukraine's sovereignty and could shift Putin's calculations.
Proposal framed as a show of support
Johnson suggested deploying troops to peaceful regions of Ukraine in non-fighting roles, such as training, logistics, or infrastructure support. He questioned the logic of delaying such a move until after a ceasefire, which he said would leave all leverage with Putin.
"If we can have boots on the ground after the war, after Putin has condescended to have a ceasefire, then why not do it now? These people wouldn't be there in a war-fighting capacity."
Boris Johnson
He argued that the presence of international forces would reinforce Ukraine's status as an independent nation, rather than a Russian vassal state. Putin, however, has previously warned that foreign troops in Ukraine would be treated as "legitimate targets."
Criticism of Western caution and past failures
Johnson and former UK military chief Admiral Sir Tony Radakin reflected on the early days of the war, when Western support for Ukraine was slow to materialize. Both acknowledged that delays in delivering requested weapons had cost lives and prolonged the conflict.
Radakin described the allies' approach as "incrementalism," which he said had frustrated Ukraine. Johnson added that Western hesitation had emboldened Putin, citing missed opportunities to counter Russian aggression in Crimea (2014) and Syria, as well as the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.
"The failure to do anything in Crimea was tragic. Putin was emboldened by a Western failure in Syria to punish Assad for using chemical weapons."
Boris Johnson
Johnson admitted regret for not taking stronger action during his tenure as foreign secretary and prime minister, arguing that a clearer Western stance could have deterred the 2022 invasion.
Defence spending and future plans
Radakin called on the UK government to fulfill its commitment to spend 3.5% of national income on defence by 2035, a pledge made at last year's NATO summit. He warned that Russia, though weakened, remains a threat and that sustained investment is needed to ensure long-term security.
The Ministry of Defence responded to Johnson's comments by highlighting the UK's leadership in supporting Ukraine, including a recent £500 million air defence package and preparations for potential future deployments under a "coalition of the willing."
Political and strategic implications
Johnson's proposal goes further than current UK or allied policy, which has ruled out combat deployments but is exploring post-ceasefire peacekeeping options. Analysts note that any troop presence-even in non-combat roles-would likely be seen as a provocation by Moscow.
Both Johnson and Radakin emphasized that Ukraine has already made concessions and that only increased economic and military pressure on the Kremlin can bring peace. Johnson dismissed the idea that Putin genuinely seeks a negotiated settlement, calling it "deluded."
As the war nears its fourth anniversary, the debate over Western strategy continues, with allies weighing how far to escalate support without risking direct conflict with Russia.
