As the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine approaches, former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is calling on the United Kingdom and its European allies to take immediate, definitive action: deploy noncombat troops to Ukraine right now.
Speaking in a BBC interview ahead of the anniversary, Johnson emphasized that waiting for a peace agreement is a strategic mistake. He argued that placing forces on the ground immediately is necessary to send an undeniable message to Russian President Vladimir Putin, reaffirming the West’s absolute commitment to Ukraine’s freedom and independence.
The Proposal: Why Wait for a Ceasefire?
Johnson’s recommendation represents a tactical but significant shift in how Western nations might operate within Ukraine. He suggested that British and allied troops should be stationed in peaceful regions of the country to perform non-fighting roles.
Currently, Britain and France are leading plans for a “coalition of the willing” to deploy peacekeeping forces, but only aftera deal is reached to end the war. Johnson challenged this timeline directly:
The Core Argument: “If we are willing to do it in the context of a ceasefire, which of course puts all the initiative, all the power, in Putin’s hands, why not do it now?” Johnson stated.
Constitutional Support: He noted there is “no logical reason” not to send peaceful ground forces to demonstrate constitutional support for a free Ukraine, adding that if Ukraine is truly an independent nation, it should be up to Ukrainians—not Putin—to decide who enters their country.
The Canadian Connection: Challenging the “Coalition of the Willing”
Johnson’s call to action directly challenges the current military posture of allies like Canada.
Canada is a key member of the UK and France-led “Coalition of the Willing.” Just last month, in January 2026, Canada signed a pact in Paris committing to help secure Ukraine by providing multinational forces—but strictly after a negotiated ceasefire is reached.
Furthermore, Canada has been highly active in training Ukrainian forces through Operation UNIFIER. Since 2015, the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) have trained over 47,000 Ukrainian military personnel. While Canadian Defense Minister Bill Blair has previously expressed openness to the idea of conducting this training inside Ukraine, the CAF currently operates these training missions safely across the border in Poland to avoid direct confrontation with Russia.
Johnson’s proposal essentially urges nations like Canada to abandon the “wait for a peace deal” prerequisite. If adopted, it would pressure Ottawa to move noncombat operations like UNIFIER back onto Ukrainian soil immediately to establish a visible, deterrent presence.
A History of Emboldening Putin
Johnson, who was prime minister during the first months of the 2022 invasion and one of Kyiv’s staunchest early allies, also reflected on the geopolitical missteps that led to the current conflict. He suggested the full-scale war could have been prevented if Western countries had shown more resolve in the past.
He pointed to three specific historical failures that he believes emboldened Putin to invade in 2022:
Crimea (2014): The West’s failure to firmly respond to Russia’s annexation of the Crimean Peninsula.
Syria: The inability of Western powers to punish Bashar al-Assad for using chemical weapons against his own people
Afghanistan (2021): The chaotic withdrawal of US and UK forces, which Johnson argued gave Putin a “general sense that the West was on the back foot.”
The Official Stance and Complex Geopolitics
The issue of military involvement inside Ukraine remains a highly sensitive topic that splits opinions among NATO members. Western military planners have traditionally avoided discussing such deployments publicly out of concern that Russia would view it as a severe escalation. Last year, Putin explicitly stated that any Western troops deployed to Ukraine would be considered “legitimate targets.”
In response to Johnson’s remarks, the UK Ministry of Defence maintained its current, more cautious stance. While affirming their pride in UK leadership on Ukraine, the Ministry clarified that British troops will only be put on the ground following the end of hostilities to secure long-term peace.
As the conflict enters its fifth year, Johnson’s proposal adds a complex new layer to the debate over how to best support Ukraine while navigating the precarious geopolitical landscape.
