British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has expressed his readiness to send British troops to Ukraine as part of a postwar peacekeeping force, highlighting the necessity of European involvement in negotiations to end the ongoing conflict.
Speaking on Sunday, Starmer acknowledged the gravity of his decision, stating that he did not take the idea of putting British servicemen and women “in harm’s way” lightly. However, he stressed that ensuring lasting peace in Ukraine was crucial to deterring further aggression from Russian President Vladimir Putin.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also reiterated on Sunday that Ukraine and Europe would be integral to any “real negotiations” to end the war, signaling that upcoming US-Russia talks would gauge Putin’s commitment to a peaceful resolution. In an article published in the Daily Telegraph, Starmer emphasised that the war’s conclusion “cannot merely become a temporary pause before Putin attacks again.”
This marks the first time Starmer has explicitly stated his consideration of deploying British peacekeepers to Ukraine. Previously, he had only indicated Britain’s willingness to support a negotiated peace deal. In his article, Starmer affirmed that Britain was prepared to contribute to security guarantees by “putting our own troops on the ground if necessary.”
“I do not say that lightly,” he wrote. “I feel very deeply the responsibility that comes with potentially putting British servicemen and women in harm’s way.”
Starmer is expected to join other European leaders in Paris on Monday for high-level discussions on Ukraine, convened by French President Emmanuel Macron. The meeting will include German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
The European response follows a controversial move by US President Donald Trump, who last week surprised NATO allies by holding direct talks with Putin without prior consultation. Trump’s Ukraine envoy, Keith Kellogg, later suggested that Ukraine and other European nations might not be included in peace negotiations.
Meanwhile, US and Russian officials are scheduled to meet in Saudi Arabia in the coming days to initiate discussions on ending Russia’s nearly three-year war in Ukraine.
Starmer, who is also expected to visit Washington soon, suggested that Britain could serve as a crucial intermediary in the peace process. “Europe and America must continue to work closely together – and I believe the UK can play a unique role in helping to make this happen,” he said.
Describing the moment as pivotal for European security, he added, “We are facing a once-in-a-generation moment for the collective security of our continent. This is not only a question about the future of Ukraine. It is existential for Europe as a whole.”
Melissa Enoch
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