UK preparing troops to deploy in Ukraine after peace set - Healey
The UK government is providing funding to the country's troops to ensure preparedness for future deployment in Ukraine after the peace is established as part of security guarantees to the country.
That's according to British Defense Secretary John Healey, who spoke today at the start of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting, held via video link, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.
"I continue to direct funding to prepare our UK troops and armed forces so that we are ready to deploy when peace comes - with troops on the ground and jets in the air," said John Healey.
He said that through the Coalition of the Willing, Ukraine's partners are raising their readiness levels.
Healey noted that the dozens of nations uniting to support Ukraine is "a powerful demonstration of the enduring commitment to the people of Ukraine, the commitment that stretches from the euro-atlantic through the indo-pacific."
He recalled that over this year, through UDCG, GBP 50 billion has been gathered in pledges of military aid to Ukraine.
"As 2025 draws to a close, we are at a major moment in this war. The US-led coalition for peace is advancing. And yesterday in Berlin, they were signals of the progress in the peace talks, which is further advanced than at any time during this war," he noted.
He also stressed that meanwhile, Putin continues his brutal attacks on Ukraine "with 20,000 drone and missile attacks in the last two months alone."
Healey called on partners to step up support for Ukraine to further put pressure on Vladimir Putin to strike a peace deal and also for partners to "protect the Ukrainians during the winter months."
As reported, today the 32nd meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group is being held via video link, during which Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal will brief allies on the current battlefield situation and Ukraine's key needs.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte is also taking part in the meeting.
UK Secretary of State for Defence John Healey stated that the United Kingdom will provide GBP 600 million for air defense systems for Ukraine to protect civilians during the winter amid Russian missile and drone attacks.