Generals and top leaders call for Canada and Europe to put troops on the ground in Ukraine

European allies and Canada should extend air defences and put troops on the ground in Ukraine, according to experts, politicians and military leaders.

In an open letter, with signatories including the former defence secretary Ben Wallace, retired RAF Air Marshal Greg Bagwell and retired Lieutenant General Ben Hodges, the former commander of US Army Europe, Western nations were urged not to wait for President-elect Donald Trump and instead be proactive in defending Ukraine.

A number of points were outlined in the letter, which was published in the Byline Times.

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These included the extension of air defence over western Ukraine, with coalition troops then put on the ground.

Outlined in the letter, it was also suggested those defence capabilities in countries in the coalition, or assets in countries bordering Ukraine, could be used to "take some of the pressure off Ukrainian air defence".

"Russian missiles and drones are flying toward our borders and we can't take chances," the letter goes on.

"Coalition states could then use this shield to put their own troops on the ground, as proposed by French president Emmanuel Macron."

Troops in Ukraine would then help train "forces, provide logistical and de-mining support and conduct other tasks that would demonstrate our commitment to Ukraine's victory and security".

Also outlined in the open letter were calls to arm Ukraine to win, which would see the coalition focus on giving Ukraine "war-winning capabilities".

This would include "long-range precision strike (with no restrictions on targeting)" – with Ukraine recently using long-range missiles to strike inside Russia after the US lifted restrictions on Kyiv's use of Atacms.

Ukraine should also be provided with "real security guarantees, including mutual defence, to shepherd Ukraine into Nato".

"Much as Sweden and Finland needed guarantees from strong partners while they waited for their Nato membership to be concluded, so too does Ukraine," the letter read.

It said the coalition of countries could commit to the mutual defence of Ukraine, which would also "deter future Russian attacks on Ukraine – and ourselves".

The letter also urged all of Russia's frozen assets to be seized and used to fund Ukraine's victory.

"Confiscating frozen Russian assets is economically feasible, legal under the international principle of countermeasures – and would establish a financial deterrent to future aggression," the letter outlined.

"The $300bn of frozen assets is four times US military aid to Ukraine since 2022 and roughly 75% of total Western assistance to date. 

"Seizing the full amount would be the best way to get Ukraine the money it needs to defend itself and seriously degrade Russian morale."

The final point outlined in the open letter was that the coalition would show "we can stand up for ourselves".

This would see countries in the coalition spend 3% of GDP on defence annually, but said "the war, and our credibility, must be won on other fronts too".

"The coalition should move to tighten – and enforce – sanctions, but also work to defeat Russia economically, turning the screws to cripple its creaking war machine," it added. 

"China must be shown that its support for Russia's war is unacceptable and that it cannot buy us off."

Other signatories of the letter include retired RAF officer Air Marshal Edward Stringer, former Estonia president Toomas Hendrik Ilves and former Latvia president Egils Levits.