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UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy has stated that Britain is not considering deploying its military forces to Ukraine at this time, reaffirming the UK’s longstanding policy of keeping troops out of active combat zones.
Lammy’s comments, reported by Politico, came after his French counterpart urged Western allies not to impose “red lines” on supporting Ukraine.
On Monday, Le Monde revealed that Britain and France had resumed discussions on the possibility of sending Western troops to Ukraine following UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s visit to France.
Speaking to La Repubblica, Le Monde, and Die Welt during the G7 Foreign Ministers’ meeting in Italy, Lammy clarified:
“We are clear that we are ready and continue to support the Ukrainians, including through training, but we adhere to the long-standing position of not deploying British troops into the theater of combat.”
“This is unquestionably the UK’s stance, and it remains unchanged,” he added.
Meanwhile, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot suggested in a BBC interview over the weekend that France would not rule out sending troops to Ukraine if necessary, echoing previous remarks made by President Emmanuel Macron earlier this year.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani also reaffirmed on November 25 that Italy will not deploy its soldiers to fight in Ukraine.
Read also: Sybiha discussed security of Ukraine and Europe with Borrell, Barrot in Rome
