Boris Johnson says UK should deploy troops in Ukraine NOW as ex-PM warns Vladimir Putin will 'flip switch'

The UK is currently working with allies in the "coalition of the willing" to provide forces to preserve peace and stability in the ex-Soviet state.

However, the group is only expected to deploy troops if there is a deal to end the conflict.

Heaping pressure on Sir Keir Starmer to do more, Mr Johnson said: "If we can have a plan for boots on the ground after the war, after Putin has condescended to have a ceasefire, then why not do it now?"

Mr Johnson, who was Prime Minister at the time of Russia's illegal invasion, also claimed the conflict could have been prevented if the West had paid more attention to President Putin following the annexation of Crimea in 2014.

He added: "Just to make this point that it is up to the Ukrainians, and these people wouldn't be there in a war-fighting capacity, right?"

Directly addressing his proposal to send British troops to Ukraine, Mr Johnson told the BBC: "Yes, I think, you know, 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?

"There is no logical reason that I can see why we shouldn't send peaceful ground forces there to show our support, our constitutional support for a free, independent Ukraine.

"That is a political thing. It's about whether Ukraine is a free country or not.

"If it's a vassal state of Russia, which is what Putin wants, then obviously it's up to Putin to decide who comes to his country. If it's not, then it's up to the Ukrainians."

The UK agreed to deploy troops in Ukraine as part of a proposed ceasefire deal back in January following Sir Keir's meeting with Emmanuel Macron in Paris.

The joint declaration confirmed that a "multinational force" would look to uphold any peace agreement and prevent another Russian invasion.

Such an arrangement would see Britain and France setting up military “hubs” in Ukraine to facilitate troop deployments

Following the announcement, Sir Keir said: “In today’s discussions, we have ... gone into greater detail about the mechanics of the deployment of the force on the ground.

“Alongside our plans for a co-ordination cell, post-ceasefire, the UK and France will also establish ‘military hubs’ across Ukraine to enable the deployment and build protected facilities for weapons and military equipment to support Ukraine’s defensive needs.”

However, the Prime Minister also confirmed any decision to deploy troops in Ukraine would require a vote in the House of Commons.

Sir Keir told MPs: “We will set out the details in a statement at the earliest opportunity.

"I will keep the house updated as the situation develops and were troops to be deployed under the declaration signed, I would put that matter to the house for a vote.”

Polling suggests a vast majority of Britons remain supportive of Ukraine's efforts to defeat Russian forces.

YouGov found 56 per cent of Britons support sending peacekeepers to Ukraine, with just 23 per cent opposing.

The net figure is significantly higher compared to Denmark, France, Germany, Italy and Poland.

Responding to Mr Johnson, a Ministry of Defence spokesman said: "We are proud of UK leadership on Ukraine – supporting the fight today and working to secure the peace tomorrow.

"It's why this Government is providing the highest-ever level of military support, including a recent half-billion-pound air defence package just last week, accelerating £200million for the UK military to prepare for any Ukraine deployment, and working with over 30 nations through the UK-led Coalition of the Willing."

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