British troops could head to Ukraine after fresh £225m package unveiled
Defence Secretary John Healey has signalled a potential shift in British military support for Ukraine by opening the door to sending UK troops to conduct training within the ex-Soviet state.
The announcement came alongside a commitment of £225million in fresh support for Ukraine’s defence efforts.
During a visit to Kyiv, Healey emphasised the need to enhance training accessibility for Ukrainian forces, marking what appears to be the first time a Government figure has publicly floated such a proposal since former Defence Secretary Grant Shapps expressed similar support last year.
Speaking to The Times, Healey emphasised the need to “make the training a better fit for what the Ukrainians need”.
“We need to make it easier for the Ukrainians to access and we need to work with the Ukrainians to help them motivate and mobilise more recruits,” he stated.
When questioned about the possibility of extending Ukrainian training from UK soil to Ukraine itself, Healey demonstrated clear openness to the idea.
“We will look wherever we can to respond to what the Ukrainians want. They are the ones fighting,” he told The Times.
This marks a notable shift in Britain’s training support approach, with Healey becoming the first Government figure to actively consider such an expansion of the UK’s training programme.
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Healey’s stance on potential peace negotiations remained firm, emphasising that Ukraine should enter any talks “from a position of strength not weakness”.
However, Labour’s stance comes in stark contrast with emerging voices in American politics, particularly as incoming President Donald Trump has promised to end the war on his first day in office if re-elected.
The Defence Secretary’s comments also come as JD Vance, the incoming Vice-President, has suggested Ukraine should cede territory to Russia in exchange for peace.
Healey stressed that Ukraine must continue to build up its fighting capability and ability to deter Putin.
“We can’t take the eye off the ball,” he warned.
The Defence Secretary’s visit to Kyiv reinforced Britain’s position as a steadfast ally in Ukraine’s ongoing struggle.
Announcing the support package, Healey highlighted Putin’s strategic failures nearly three years after the invasion began.
“The depths of his miscalculation are clearer than ever, as the brave people of Ukraine continue to defy all expectations with their unbreakable spirit,” he declared.
Speaking to LBC, Healey described this as a “critical period for Ukraine”.
He pointed to clear signs of Russian weakness, noting Putin’s reliance on North Korean troops and failures in Syria.
The £225million package comes as part of a broader international effort, with Britain contributing £2.26billion to a G7 loan package.
The commitment was further solidified as the Financial Assistance to Ukraine Bill cleared the Commons without opposition, enabling the Government to provide loans and other financial support.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer reinforced this position during a visit to Norway, warning it would be a “big mistake” if allies wavered in their support.