UK may supply Ukraine with Typhoon fighter jets if ceasefire is reached

The Times reports the information, citing its own sources.

According to the outlet, British ministers discussed ways to provide security guarantees without the need to deploy large numbers of troops to Ukraine. 

One senior government source said that an “air policing” mission made sense, although it would require a significant number of aircraft, as well as air defense systems to protect them.

“In theory, dozens of Typhoons could be on alert for any Russian attacks while a smaller peacekeeping force of troops from the UK and other European countries offered protection on the ground,” the statement said.

Peacekeeping troops in Ukraine

At the end of January, Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that at least 200,000 peacekeepers would be needed to secure Ukraine after the cessation of hostilities. Later, the president clarified that among the peacekeeping forces in Ukraine, there should be U.S. military personnel.

On February 11, the NYT reported that there are no 200,000 peacekeepers in Europe who could be sent to Ukraine. This is almost three times the size of the entire British army. On the same day, Zelenskyy said that the mission would work if 100,000 to 150,000 European troops were deployed.

According to AP, a group of European countries is secretly developing a plan to send troops to Ukraine. Ukraine’s Defense Minister Rustem Umerov had previously confirmed that partners are already working on the idea of a peacekeeping mission.

On February 17, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that he is ready to deploy peacekeeping troops to Ukraine.

Swedish Foreign Minister Maria Malmer Stenergard stated that the country does not rule out sending troops to Ukraine as part of a post-war peacekeeping mission.