Keir Starmer ready to send British troops to Ukraine for peacekeeping
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that he is ready to deploy British troops to Ukraine as part of an international peacekeeping mission after the conflict ends.
This stance comes as the United Kingdom seeks to highlight Europe’s role in peace negotiations and secure U.S. support for the process, according to Reuters.
Starmer emphasized that the decision to potentially deploy troops "into harm’s way" was not made lightly, but he views securing lasting peace in Ukraine as essential to preventing further Russian aggression.
The U.S. and Europe take central stage in peace talks
On Sunday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio underscored that Ukraine and Europe will play a central role in any "genuine negotiations" to end the war. He noted that this week’s discussions between the U.S. and Russia represent an opportunity to assess Russian President Vladimir Putin’s sincerity regarding peace.
In an article for The Daily Telegraph, Starmer reiterated the UK’s commitment to Ukraine’s security, stating that Britain is prepared to "deploy troops on the ground if necessary." He stressed that ending the conflict should not result in "a temporary pause before Putin attacks again."
"I do not say this lightly," the British prime minister wrote. "I deeply understand the responsibility that comes with exposing British troops to risk."
On Monday, Starmer is set to attend a summit in Paris hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron, where he will join German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and other European leaders. The discussions will focus on supporting Ukraine and strategizing for peace negotiations.
Trump’s actions alarm NATO allies
Last week, U.S. President Donald Trump alarmed European allies by disclosing that he had engaged in direct talks with Putin on launching a peace process—without informing NATO or Ukrainian leaders. Additionally, Trump’s advisor on Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, suggested that European nations might be excluded from peace negotiations.
Meanwhile, U.S. and Russian officials are set to meet in Saudi Arabia for preliminary talks on ending the nearly three-year-long war.
Starmer is also planning a visit to Washington, where he will advocate for Britain’s "unique role" in facilitating dialogue between Europe and the U.S. to ensure lasting peace in Ukraine.
"Europe and America must continue to work closely together— and the UK can play a crucial role in this process," the prime minister stated. "We are at a critical juncture for the collective security of our continent. This is not just about Ukraine’s future, but about the stability of all of Europe."
Translation by Iurie Tataru
