Lord Cameron, the UK’s Foreign Secretary, has stated that Western troops will not be sent into Ukraine in order to avoid giving Russian President Vladimir Putin a clear target. This statement was made during a two-day NATO summit in Brussels, where 32 foreign ministers gathered to discuss the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
While acknowledging the need for allies to step up and support Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression, Lord Cameron emphasized the importance of NATO being in the best possible shape by the upcoming US elections. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg proposed a 100 billion euro military aid package for Ukraine, with plans to finalize the agreement at a summit in Washington in July.
Lord Cameron reiterated the UK’s commitment to providing financial support to Ukraine and urged other NATO members to increase their defense spending to strengthen the alliance. He highlighted the success of the UK’s training program for Ukrainian soldiers, which has trained over 60,000 troops and provided more than £7 billion in aid.
Despite calls for Western nations to send troops to Ukraine, Lord Cameron ruled out such action, citing concerns of escalating tensions with Russia. He stated that NATO’s Article 5 pledge, which ensures mutual defense among member states, would come into effect if the conflict were to spill over into neighboring countries like Poland and the Baltics.
In conclusion, Lord Cameron emphasized the importance of supporting Ukraine in its fight against aggression while maintaining a strategic approach to avoid direct military intervention that could provoke further hostilities. As the conflict in Ukraine continues to unfold, it remains crucial for NATO and its member states to work together to ensure a peaceful resolution to the crisis.