Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has expressed his readiness to send British troops to Ukraine as part of a broader effort to secure long-term stability in the region.
Ahead of an emergency summit with European leaders in Paris on Monday, Starmer emphasized that preventing future aggression from Russian President Vladimir Putin required a firm commitment to Ukraine’s security.
Writing in the Daily Telegraph, he stated that the UK was prepared to play an active role in security guarantees, including the potential deployment of British forces.
“I do not make this decision lightly,” he wrote. “The responsibility of sending British servicemen and women into potential danger weighs heavily.”
Starmer underscored that safeguarding Ukraine’s security was crucial to protecting Europe as a whole, warning that any resolution to the conflict must not simply serve as a pause before renewed Russian aggression.
Under the proposed plan, UK troops could be stationed alongside other European forces along the boundary between Ukrainian- and Russian-controlled territories.
His comments follow remarks from former Army chief Lord Dannatt, who recently stated that the UK’s military resources were too depleted to take the lead in any peacekeeping efforts.
Previously, Starmer had only hinted at the possibility of British troop involvement in Ukraine post-ceasefire, but his latest statements signal a more explicit commitment.
He is due to visit President Donald Trump in Washington later this month and said a "US security guarantee is essential for a lasting peace, because only the US can deter Putin from attacking again".
Sir Keir is meeting with other European leaders in response to concerns the US is moving forward with Russia on peace talks that will lock out the continent.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio plans to meet Russian officials in Saudi Arabia in the coming days, US officials say.
On Saturday the US special envoy to Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, said European leaders would be consulted only and not take part in any talks between the US and Russia.
A senior Ukrainian government source told the BBC on Sunday that Kyiv has not been invited to talks between the US and Russia.
Source: BBC
BDST: 1018 HRS, FEB 17, 2025
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