The UK and the wider West should consider sending troops to Ukraine to help with training, a former armed forces minister has said. 

But James Heappey insisted any troops would have to be kept far away from the frontline to avoid sparking a direct confrontation between Nato and Russia. 

Mr Heappey stepped down from his role at the Ministry of Defence last month and he is due to quit as a Tory MP at the next general election. 

Asked about the possibility of Western troops on the ground in Ukraine, he told Sky News: “You have got to be careful about how you do it. I think definitely nowhere near a combat zone. 

“I think you have got to be very, very careful not to make it into a Russo-Nato war. But I do think it is worth exploring what, in the sort of deeper, in the depth of Ukraine, the donor community could do.” 

It was suggested to Mr Heappey that British troops could help with training Ukrainian forces and he said: “I think it is worth considering.” 

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