Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has sparked a political storm in London by demanding that Britain and its European allies deploy non-combat troops to Ukraine immediately, arguing there is “no logical reason” to wait for a formal peace deal and that a Western ground presence would “flip a switch” in Vladimir Putin’s mind and demonstrate unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty. Johnson, who now openly laments that years of Western hesitation over Crimea, Syria and Afghanistan emboldened the Kremlin, says the West has been “too slow” and “incremental” in arming Kyiv, warnings that come as the UK government insists any British troop deployment should only follow a ceasefire and peace agreement, to avoid turning its forces into “legitimate targets” for Russia.