Starmer sending British troops to Ukraine makes little military sense - but will concentrate European minds

I’m prepared to consider committing British forces on the ground, alongside others, if there is a lasting peace agreement

The UK prime minister added

We’re seeing a gulf between the US and Europe the likes of which we haven’t seen since before the second world war,

Dan Sabbagh, the Guardian’s defence and security editor, tells Hannah Moore

With the UK being a member of NATO, it is not impartial in this war, and the UK Government’s treatment of Ukraine and refugees since the start of the conflict has shown its support of the country."

Dr Hamourtziadou said

This is highly inappropriate, to put it bluntly, and – honestly – we don’t even know what the outcome will be.”

He added

The only civilian deaths this could prevent are British citizens who have travelled to Ukraine to support the military there, with at least 15 Britons dying on the front line."

She added

By summer, NATO will communicate capability targets to the individual governments. [German news magazine] Spiegel reported in June that Germany will likely need 'upward of 272,000 troops' to implement the plans,

added Loss

Lawrence Freedmanmember of the Privy Council of the United Kingdom

Do you involve the Turks? Turkey is a NATO country, and maybe they could provide the numbers. Russians may find that tolerable,

Freedman said

For example, a recent poll in Germany revealed that a staggering 59% of the public would support a deployment of the Bundeswehr, together with other European troops, to uphold a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia,

German think tank SWP said, but not without a US backup

The dilemma the Europeans face is: Where do they get those troops from? Pulling [them] from the border with Russia makes them vulnerable,

Rafael Loss, an expert on security affairs and a fellow with the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR), told DW

Lawrence Freedmanmember of the Privy Council of the United Kingdom

For every soldier, you need one in training and another recuperating, so my rough assessment is that overall you need at least 100,000 troops,

said Freedman

Lawrence Freedmanmember of the Privy Council of the United Kingdom

It's early days. There can be no such force without a sustainable deal,

Lawrence Freedman, an eminent military historian and strategist, told DW

Boots on the ground face a threat. Countries that will deploy them also face threats, especially hybrid threats or even assassinations,

added Loss

Donald Tuskprime Minister

We do not plan to send Polish soldiers to the territory of Ukraine,

Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk told reporters

The end of this war, when it comes, cannot merely become a temporary pause before [Russian President Vladimir] Putin attacks again,

added Starmer

The Bundeswehr’s current size is 181,000, with a pre-2022 goal to grow to 203,000 [by] 2031,

he said

Almost all European states reject such a mission without US participation as too risky. However, they could imagine participating if the US decided to do so. A British-French leadership role is not enough for most Europeans,

it said

And it shouldn't be called a peacekeeping force, which is supposedly impartial. This is a deterrent force, a reassurance force, designed to deter Russia,

he said

This isn't just about the frontline in Ukraine. It's the frontline of Europe and of the United Kingdom. It's our national security”.

On Monday he explained why