Summary: We call on the UK Government to prepare and, subject to Ukraine’s invitation, deploy non‑combat UK teams to Western and Northern Ukraine to secure rear areas, protect civilians, deter and document cross‑border incursions from Belarus, and sustain humanitarian corridors. This initiative would be lawful, humanitarian and de‑escalatory, aligned with NATO support mechanisms and international humanitarian law (IHL), and would free Ukrainian forces for front‑line defence.

Request: We ask the Government to: (1) deploy border monitoring and rear‑area security teams focused on civilian infrastructure and corridor protection; (2) deploy logistics, transport and supply‑chain units to keep aid and medical supplies moving; and (3) establish a UK‑led coordination cell with Ukrainian authorities and NATO partners to ensure transparency, lawful conduct and risk reduction. The posture is strictly defensive and non‑combat, operating only with Ukraine’s consent.

Humanitarian benefits:
• Protect civilians and essential services: stabilising rear areas reduces displacement and casualties; secure corridors keep food, water and medical aid flowing.
• Safer evacuations and relief operations: dedicated logistics units improve predictability and access for NGOs and medical providers.
• Reduced strain on Ukrainian forces: backfilling rear‑area tasks enables stronger front‑line defence.

Risk mitigation:
• Consent of the territorial state: any UK presence would be at Ukraine’s invitation, reinforcing sovereignty and avoiding implications of occupation.
• IHL compliance: operations will follow distinction, proportionality and precautions to minimise civilian harm and environmental impact.
• De‑escalatory posture: monitoring, documentation and logistics are stabilising measures; no offensive or front‑line combat operations are envisaged.
• UK oversight: while deployment decisions are taken under the Royal Prerogative, the established convention is to inform and debate in the House of Commons, save for emergencies—ensuring accountability.

Legal basis & NATO framework:
• UN Charter Article 51 recognises individual and collective self‑defence; support to Ukraine at its request is consistent with the Charter’s principles.
• North Atlantic Treaty Articles 1 and 4 commit Allies to peaceful settlement and consultation when security is threatened; UK support can be coordinated within NATO frameworks.
• NATO’s support for Ukraine (including security assistance and the Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List) provides established mechanisms for coordination and delivery.
• IHL (Additional Protocol I) codifies protections for civilians and rules on distinction, proportionality and precautions; UK forces must train and operate accordingly.
• Consent vs. occupation: ICRC practice confirms that a consensual foreign military presence does not constitute occupation, which presupposes non‑consensual effective control.

Call to action: Please sign and share to ask the UK Government to plan, consult Parliament, and—pending Ukraine’s formal invitation—deploy non‑combat UK teams to secure borders, protect civilians and sustain aid in Western and Northern Ukraine.

References:
1) UN Charter Article 51: https://legal.un.org/repertory/art51.shtml
2) North Atlantic Treaty (Arts. 1, 4, 5): https://www.nato.int/en/about-us/official-texts-and-resources/official-texts/1949/04/04/the-north-atlantic-treaty
3) NATO’s support for Ukraine (PURL, assistance & training): https://www.nato.int/en/what-we-do/partnerships-and-cooperation/natos-support-for-ukraine
4) ICRC IHL—Additional Protocol I: https://ihl-databases.icrc.org/en/ihl-treaties/api-1977
5) House of Commons Library—Military action: Parliament’s role (Oct 2024): https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cbp-10001/
Further IHL reading: Consent vs. Occupation (ICRC): https://www.icrc.org/en/law-and-policy/occupation