Britain is likely to abandon plans to send thousands of troops to defend Ukraine, The Times reported, citing sources.
‘The risks are too high and the forces are insufficient for such a task,’ one of the sources told the newspaper.
According to The Times, the plan would instead include defending Ukraine from the air and sea, as well as strengthening its army, including by sending French and British instructors to the west of the country.
This, the publication notes, would fulfil the commitment to deploy troops inside the country without them being near the front line or guarding key installations.
In February, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said that London was ready to send British peacekeepers to Ukraine to provide security guarantees. The French authorities also considered sending peacekeepers. This idea was criticized by the British army. The Times reported in March that several countries, including the UK, France, Turkey, Canada and Australia, were discussing plans to send up to 30,000 troops to Ukraine.
