UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has warned that Russian President Vladimir Putin would violate any peace agreement with Ukraine unless strong security measures are put in place. Speaking after a high-level military meeting in London, Starmer emphasised that a lasting ceasefire must be backed by military planning to ensure severe consequences for any Russian breach.
Starmer attended a closed meeting at the UK’s Permanent Joint Headquarters in Northwood, where representatives from more than 20 nations discussed proposals for securing Ukraine as part of a potential peace deal. The UK and its allies, he said, were moving from “political momentum” to “military planning” to prepare for the eventual agreement.
“It is vitally important we do that work because we know one thing for certain—Putin will breach a deal without security backing,” Starmer stated. “We know that because it happened before, and I am absolutely clear in my mind it will happen again.”
Defence Secretary John Healey and military leaders from the so-called “coalition of the willing” engaged in detailed planning for a potential troop deployment. However, diplomatic and defence sources suggested that any international military presence in Ukraine should be described as a “reassurance force” rather than a “peacekeeping force.”
Starmer ruled out withdrawing UK troops from existing commitments, such as in Estonia, to reassign them to Ukraine, saying,”There’s no pulling back from our commitments to other countries.” Armed Forces Minister Luke Pollard explained that discussions had not yet reached the stage of determining troop numbers but focused on operational coordination, including air support.
According to reports, one proposal considered during the meeting involved sending British Typhoon jets to Ukraine to provide air cover.
Pollard said, “We’re not yet talking about numbers” of UK troops potentially being sent to Ukraine “because we’re still designing the shape of the force”.
Giving an example, he said: “If one nation offers fast jet combat air, like a Typhoon aircraft for instance, how will the other nations work alongside it? Where will it refuel? How will it operate with other nations’ capabilities?”
The armed forces minister said he expected discussions would be to ensure “any force in or around Ukraine can be as credible as possible”.
While UK-led talks focused on security, diplomatic efforts to end the war continue. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, speaking in Norway, urged Russia to stop making “unnecessary demands that only prolong the war.”
The US has been attempting to broker a ceasefire, with both Zelensky and Putin agreeing in principle to a 30-day truce. However, no agreement has materialised due to conflicting conditions. US President Donald Trump has held calls with both leaders, but negotiations remain stalled.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian and US officials are set to meet in Saudi Arabia next Monday, coinciding with US-Russia talks confirmed by the Kremlin. The discussions signal ongoing international efforts to secure a ceasefire after more than three years of conflict.
As diplomatic and military strategies unfold, Starmer’s warning underscores the urgency of securing Ukraine against future Russian aggression, ensuring any peace deal is not merely a temporary pause in hostilities.
Melissa Enoch
Follow us on:
