The Guardian: UK and European peacekeepers in Ukraine would be allowed to fire back at Russians
British troops and their European allies would be allowed to fire back if attacked by Russians when potentially stationed as peacekeepers in Ukraine after a ceasefire, western officials said to The Guardian.
The Anglo-French led stabilisation force would also not rely on US systems or technology, such as Elon Musk’s Starlink, and is expected to be almost exclusively European if deployed.
“Clearly we will protect our forces against any aggression,” an official familiar with the plans said, though they emphasised that western troops in Ukraine would engage in a manner that was “defensive in nature”.
Details emerged as the UK and France set out Exercise Koalicja, which will take place later this month in Poland. It is an 11-country rehearsal of how European militaries could deploy rapidly to Ukraine if the war comes to an end.
The test of the multinational force will involve 2,800 soldiers, sailors and aviators. France is supplying 1,500 troops from its 1st Division and Britain 300 from the 7th Light Mechanised Brigade.
Though a future deployment in support of Kyiv remains hypothetical, it is a reminder that the conflict could reignite involving other forces. It is expected to have little to no US support if deployed into Ukraine.
Though the US has repeatedly sought to lead negotiations with Russia and Ukraine, President Donald Trump has said he would not commit American forces to peacekeeping in Ukraine should a durable ceasefire be agreed.
Care is being taken not to use US technology, almost certainly as a result. “We are not dependent on US systems,” one official added, when asked if the multinational force was reliant on Starlink satellites for communications.
Lt Gen Tom Bateman, the commander of the force, said the UK, France and other European countries were committed “to providing robust and binding security guarantees for Ukraine following a cessation of hostilities”.
A key aim of the multinational force would be to assist with “regenerating and strengthening” Ukraine’s military after a war, Bateman said, though the intention was for western troops to deploy well away from the front.
Its rules of engagement would nonetheless allow troops to defend themselves against any Russian drone attacks, raising the question of how Moscow would respond to any armed incidents. All militaries are ready to act in self-defence, though the doctrine is often expanded.
Fighter jets are also expected to help reopen Ukraine’s commercial airports with patrols and there are plans to clear mines in the Black Sea to reopen it for grain exports and other maritime trade, an operation led by Turkey.
