UK to offer troops to defend Ukraine’s skies and ports in Pentagon talks

Officials say UK not prepared to deploy troops to frontline with Russia as head of armed forces prepares to meet US counterparts in Washington

The head of the British armed forces will tell his American counterpartsthe UK was prepared to send troops to defend Ukraine's skies and seas but not to the frontline with Russia, as planning intensifies for a postwar settlement.

Tony Radakin, the chief of the defence staff, will on Wednesday attend meetings at the Pentagon designed to finalise what 30 different countries are willing to commit to Ukraine's national security.