Headlines
Russia says sending British troops to Ukraine would prolong war, not end it
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on February 26, 2026
1 min readLast updated: February 26, 2026
Quick Summary
Russia’s Maria Zakharova warned that sending British troops to Ukraine would prolong the conflict, as the UK and France outline post‑ceasefire deployment plans. (ca.marketscreener.com)
Russia warns UK troop deployment in Ukraine would prolong, not end, war
Russia’s Response to UK–Ukraine Troop Plans
MOSCOW, Feb 26 (Reuters) - Russia's foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Thursday that any deployment of British troops in Ukraine would prolong the war, not end it.
UK and France Post-Ceasefire Commitment
France and Britain have said they intend to send troops to Ukraine once a ceasefire in the war with Russia is reached.
Healey’s Rationale for Deployment
British Defence Minister John Healey wrote in a weekend newspaper article: "I want to be the defence secretary who deploys British troops to Ukraine – because this will mean that this war is finally over."
Zakharova’s Rebuttal
Zakharova told reporters: "Contrary to Healey's misconception, the deployment of British troops to Ukraine will not mean the end of the war, but rather a prolongation of the conflict and an increase in the risk of a large-scale military confrontation involving many more states."
Warning on Foreign Troops as Targets
She repeated a warning by Russia that it would see any foreign troops in Ukraine as legitimate targets.
Reporting and Editing Credits
(Reporting by Dmitry Antonov; Writing by Anastasia Teterevleva; Editing by Mark Trevelyan)
Key Takeaways
- •Russia’s Maria Zakharova said deploying British troops to Ukraine would prolong—not end—the war. (ca.marketscreener.com)
- •Moscow reiterated that any foreign troops in Ukraine would be treated as legitimate targets. (ca.marketscreener.com)
- •UK and France have signaled readiness to deploy forces to Ukraine after a ceasefire as part of a multinational security plan. (news.sky.com)
- •UK Defence Secretary John Healey said he wants to be the defence secretary who deploys British troops to Ukraine, framing it as a sign the war is over. (united24media.com)
- •The statements underscore elevated escalation risk and uncertainty for Europe—factors closely watched by global markets.
Frequently Asked Questions about Russia says sending British troops to Ukraine would prolong war, not end it
1What is the main topic?
Russia’s foreign ministry says sending British troops to Ukraine would prolong the war, not end it, and warns foreign forces would be legitimate targets. (ca.marketscreener.com)
2Are the UK and France planning to send troops?
London and Paris have signaled they would deploy a multinational force to Ukraine after a ceasefire as part of broader security guarantees. (news.sky.com)
3What did UK Defence Secretary John Healey say?
Healey wrote that he wants to be the defence secretary who deploys British troops to Ukraine, arguing that would signify the war’s end and a secure peace. (united24media.com)
