Russia has issued a direct threat to British and French soldiers that if they are deployed to Ukraine they will be “legitimate combat targets.”
The Russia Foreign Ministry criticised the Coalition of the Willing which is led by London and Paris and hit out their “militaristic declarations.”
Sir Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron has said there will be “military hubs” set in Ukraine should there a ceasefire.
The former Chief of the Defence Staff Lord Stirrup warned that sending British troops to Ukraine could drag the UK into war with Russia.
Lord Stirrup warned that Britain must prepare for the “worst possible outcome” should British troops be sent to Ukraine.
Read more related news:
The reality of Ukrainians living in ‘apocalyptic’ conditions as the lights go out
He said that should British troops end up being put into a position where they will be forced to shoot back at Russian troops if they are attacked in Ukraine.
British and French troops will protect weaponry and train Ukrainian forces as part of the joint agreement.
Lord Stirrup has warned that the British Armed Forces must prepare to be dragged into war with Russia should peacekeeping operation fails.
The former Chief of the Defence Staff told Times Radio, “You can’t just expect everything to turn out the way you planned.
“As we all know, plans never survive first contact with the enemy.”
He added, “So, in thinking about any follow-on force to a peace agreement, we have to do what the military traditionally does which is not just look at what we think is likely to happen but what the best possible outcome could be and what the worst possible outcome could be and how we would respond in all of those circumstances.
“Quite clearly, there is the potential if we are not careful about our arrangements for us to be drawn into a subsequent conflict with Russia.”
Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden insisted that British forces will be allowed to “protect themselves” against any Russian attacks.
He was asked by LBC if they will be allowed to shoot back at Russian aggression, he said, “We would always put our soldiers in a position where they could fire back if they were fired upon.
“We would always have our force in a position where they could protect themselves.”
