Defence experts dismiss UK prime minister’s peacekeeping initiative as “political theatre”

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s proposal for a “coalition of the willing” to maintain peace in Ukraine has faced sharp criticism, with military sources dismissing it as “political theatre.”

The Labour leader unveiled the initiative earlier this month, suggesting several nations would be ready to enforce any peace deal, but few concrete details on troops or equipment have emerged, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

Senior military figures stated that Starmer had “got ahead of himself” with his plan, noting a lack of a defined military end-state or strategic assumptions. One Army source called the initiative “all political theatre,” adding, “Starmer got ahead of himself with talk of boots on the ground before he knew what he was talking about.” This skepticism comes as some sources expressed doubts over the viability of a peacekeeping force so far from the front lines, questioning its mission, legitimacy, and command structure.

The UK Ministry of Defence, however, insisted that momentum is building behind the coalition, with nations involved “prepared to step up to secure peace.” Reports suggest that RAF Typhoon jets could provide air cover for any peacekeeping troops, though no clarity has emerged on the number of forces to be deployed.

US President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, dismissed Starmer’s plan as “a posture and a pose,” criticizing the “simplistic” view of European leaders seeking to emulate Winston Churchill. Military sources noted that neither Russia nor the United States supports the UK-led coalition, complicating the mission’s legitimacy.

A senior Army figure stressed that the coalition was more about signaling commitment to Ukraine's security than immediate military action. "The best thing we can do is to equip the Ukrainians to deter and defend – that must come first," the source said.

While some argue that the initiative lacks substance, others point to the broader geopolitical context, with US officials set to meet Russian and Ukrainian representatives in Saudi Arabia for truce talks later this week.

Earlier in March, Starmer proposed a peacekeeping initiative, claiming that several countries were ready to enforce any peace agreement. However, specific details regarding the troops and equipment that might be involved were not provided.

By Vafa Guliyeva