Former UK defence secretary supports invitation of Ukraine to NATO and UK's participation in "Macron's initiative"

Former UK Defence Secretary Grant Shapps has voiced his support for inviting Ukraine to join NATO and London's participation in a possible allied military contingent, which is being discussed as part of security guarantees for Ukraine. 

As reported by The Telegraph, Grant Shapps, who was defence secretary in the last Conservative government before Labour came to power, said he was in favour of the UK's participation in a potential contingent of Western partners and that this was only the minimum that Ukraine needed.

"British troops contributing to a post-war peacekeeping force would undoubtedly be a welcome move, but it barely scratches the surface of what Ukraine truly needs. This is a nation fighting not just for its survival but for the values of freedom and sovereignty that underpin global security.

The UK has been at the forefront of supporting Ukraine against Putin’s barbaric and illegal invasion, and we must now lead in offering a bold and unwavering path to NATO membership. Anything less would be a betrayal of Ukraine’s courage and the principles we claim to stand for," Shapps said.

Grant Shapps also criticised UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer for not visiting Ukraine since taking office. 

Sir Gavin Williamson, who was the UK’s defence secretary from 2017 to 2019 in Theresa May's government, said that London's participation in a potential Western contingent is "certainly something that I would support". 

"We obviously all want to get to a situation where peace is restored in Ukraine, and it’s making sure that it’s only done in the interests of Ukraine. But there will be a need for underpinning that peace and the underpinning of Ukraine’s security, and that will require a real, physical commitment," Sir Gavin Williamson said.

Williamson recalled that Ukraine and Russia had already signed the Minsk agreements, but in the end, it ended in Russia’s full-scale attack. 

"It’s going to be absolutely vital for the future that Ukraine security is underpinned by others, whether that is via NATO, or whether that is by countries such as the United Kingdom that can be seen as reliable partners," he added.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is planning a visit to Ukraine in the near future, and the topic of discussion will include, among other things, the French president's idea of a Western military contingent in Ukraine as part of security guarantees. 

Last week, French President Emmanuel Macron and Starmer met at the UK prime minister's country residence, and it is known that Ukraine was a central topic of their conversation.

Opening the meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group (also known as the Ramstein format) in Germany on 9 January, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he considered the deployment of foreign troops in Ukraine to be one of the best tools to force Russia to peace.