London, February 22, 2026 – The Europe Today: British Defence Secretary John Healey has said he aims to become the first UK defence minister to deploy British troops to Ukraine once a peace agreement is reached, describing such a move as a sign that the war has finally come to an end.
Writing in The Telegraph, Healey outlined his vision for ending the conflict and reaffirmed strong support for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
“I want to be the Defence Secretary who deploys British troops to Ukraine because it will mean the war is finally over. It will mean we’ve agreed on peace in Ukraine. And a secure Europe needs a strong, sovereign Ukraine,” he wrote.
Healey said Britain is working with allies to establish a “coalition of the willing” — a proposed multinational peacekeeping force that would help guarantee Ukraine’s security following a cessation of hostilities. London has reportedly allocated more than $250 million to prepare its armed forces for potential deployment under such an arrangement.
The United Kingdom has also joined the joint production of Ukraine’s artificial intelligence-powered drone interceptor, known as the Octopus, as part of efforts to bolster Kyiv’s air defence capabilities.
Recalling a recent visit to Ukraine, Healey said he witnessed the intensity of ongoing hostilities firsthand. During his overnight stay, Russia launched 90 drones targeting Kyiv, while a ballistic missile struck the western city of Lviv, approximately 15 minutes from his location.
The defence secretary stressed that London would continue increasing military assistance to Ukraine and intensify sanctions pressure on Russia. He also highlighted that Ukrainian troops are integrating into NATO exercises and sharing operational expertise, particularly in counter-drone warfare.
According to Healey, the UK is determined to place Ukraine “in the strongest possible position to achieve a just and lasting peace,” with the objective of ensuring that 2026 marks the end of the conflict.
