The United Kingdom has stepped up preparations for a potential deployment of troops to Ukraine as part of a peacekeeping mission after the possible cessation of hostilities. It was reported by The i Paper.
According to the publication, the British Ministry of Defense is working on plans to deploy forces to support the truce and deter possible attacks from russia. As part of the preparations, the purchase of the necessary equipment has already begun, and the so-called "notice to move" procedure is being worked out, which determines the timing of the units' readiness for deployment.
"I am investing in training our troops so that we are ready to deploy when peace comes - with troops on the ground and aircraft in the air," the UK Defense Secretary said.
As noted, the task of the British contingent will be to maintain the ceasefire and deter new attacks after the conclusion of the relevant agreements. The plans also include identifying possible locations, routes for troop deployment, and providing them with equipment ranging from drones and electronic warfare to vehicles and bulletproof vests.
If the direct presence of NATO forces in Ukraine becomes a sensitive issue for negotiations, the units can be temporarily deployed on the territory of allied states, in particular in Poland, while maintaining readiness for rapid response.
Among the units that may be deployed first, the media mention the 16th Air Assault Brigade of the Global Response Force, based in Colchester and specializing in rapid response to crisis situations. Other units may be called upon to form a reserve.
According to sources, the coalition of participating countries has been working on such scenarios for a long time, but now the preparations have been accelerated amid the growing likelihood of a cessation of hostilities.
As the Ukrainian News agency earlier reported, on December 15, Reuters said, that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukraine was ready to refuse to join NATO in exchange for legally binding security guarantees from the United States, similar to NATO Article 5.
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