Russian confrontation with peacekeepers ‘would be an extraordinary escalation’

Planning for a peacekeeping force in Ukraine has entered the ‘operational phase’, the Prime Minister announced on Saturday.

Russian soldiers patrol an area in the Kursk region — With its troops pressing an advantage in the Kursk region, the Kremlin is resisting proposals for an unconditional ceasefire (Russian Defence Ministry Press Service via AP)

Russian soldiers confronting British troops in Ukraine would be an “extraordinary escalation”, a minister has said as talks continue on a possible Western peacekeeping operation.

Wes Streeting suggested on Sunday morning that the prospect of such a confrontation would be sufficient to deter Russia from breaching any ceasefire agreement reached with Ukraine.

He told Sky News’s Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips: “I think it would be an extraordinary escalation for Russian troops to find themselves in conflict with British troops.”

His comments follow a virtual meeting of world leaders on Saturday, convened by Sir Keir Starmer, to discuss commitments to a “coalition of the willing” that could contribute to a peacekeeping operation.

Keir Starmer behind a podium bearing the words 'securing our future' and flanked by Union flags — Sir Keir Starmer announced that planning is moving into an ‘operational phase’ (Leon Neal/PA)

The Prime Minister announced that planning was now moving into an “operational phase”, with military chiefs set to meet in London on Thursday to formulate “robust” plans.

Mr Streeting added: “What Thursday is about, where the Prime Minister and the UK are convening military leaders from across allied countries, is about having a serious plan, a serious military strategy to secure a peace.”

Discussion of peacekeeping forces comes after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he would be willing to agree to an unconditional 30-day ceasefire with Russia as a step towards a lasting peace deal.

Western security guarantees have been seen as necessary to deterring further Russian aggression in the event of such a deal.

Wes Streeting captured in a video camera's viewfinder in the foreground while he is speaking to the media in the background — Wes Streeting suggested the prospect of a confrontation between Russian and British troops would be enough to deter Russia from further aggression (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

But so far, the Kremlin has resisted proposals for an unconditional ceasefire, insisting Ukraine must abandon its attempts to join Nato and cede some of its territory to Russia before any pause in hostilities.

On Sunday, Finnish President Alexander Stubb said the prospects of Vladimir Putin entering serious peace negotiations were “abysmal”.

Mr Stubb, who was one of 30 world leaders on Saturday’s call, told the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg: “I don’t think Putin doesn’t want a ceasefire. Putin doesn’t want peace.

“His original aim was basically to destroy the independent sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. Basically to have Ukraine ceasing to exist. He hasn’t changed his aim and this is what all of us around the table have to understand.”

Map of the front line in the war in Ukraine — (PA Graphics)

It also remains unclear what form any peacekeeping force could take.

Sir Keir said “new commitments” had been made during Saturday’s call, but did not expand on what these were, while Mr Stubb said Finland was willing to take “concrete measures” but it was “too early to talk about boots on the ground” as there was “no peace process”.

Former national security adviser Lord Peter Ricketts also suggested a lack of US support could scupper a peacekeeping operation.

He told Sky News: “I just don’t think Trump is going to give that kind of commitment, so while I admire the work going into this, and maybe there are ways that European forces can help in Ukraine… I think a formed fighting force is a considerable risk without an American clear guarantee.”