The British government has committed £200 million in funding to prepare its armed forces for a potential deployment to Ukraine, should a peace agreement with Russia be reached. The announcement was made by Defence Secretary John Healey during a visit to Kyiv on Friday 9 January 2026.
Funding for a Future Multinational Force
The substantial financial allocation, drawn from the core defence budget, is designated to procure new vehicles, advanced communications equipment, and counter-drone protection systems. This investment aims to ensure that British troops are fully equipped and ready to lead the proposed Multinational Force for Ukraine (MNFU).
This move follows a pivotal declaration of intent signed earlier in the week by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Paris. The agreement confirms that both UK and French troops will be sent to Ukraine in the event of a peace deal, with the objective of securing the country's future and reinforcing long-term security guarantees.
"A Secure Ukraine Means a Secure UK"
During his meetings with President Zelenskyy, Defence Secretary Healey underscored the UK's ongoing commitment. "As we approach the fifth year of Putin's full-scale invasion, the Ukrainians continue to fight with huge courage," Healey stated. "We are surging investment into our preparations... ensuring that Britain's armed forces are ready to deploy, and lead, the Multinational Force Ukraine, because a secure Ukraine means a secure UK."
Healey also confirmed that production of British-built Octopus interceptor drones will begin this month, enhancing Ukraine's immediate defence capabilities against Russian drone attacks on civilians and infrastructure.
Parliamentary Scrutiny and Regional Tensions
Prime Minister Starmer has assured that MPs will be given a vote before any troops are ultimately deployed to Ukraine. The concept of a joint peacekeeping force was initially proposed last year after Sir Keir and President Macron formed a 'coalition of the willing'.
The announcement comes against a backdrop of continued regional aggression. Overnight, Russia fired a hypersonic Oreshnik missile at a target in Ukraine's western Lviv region, near the border with NATO-member Poland. This marked only the second use of this weapon against Ukraine, an act Kyiv's allies interpreted as an attempt at intimidation.
The £200m funding package represents a significant step in the UK's strategic planning, bridging immediate military support for Ukraine with long-term preparations for a stabilising role in a post-conflict landscape.
