Prime Minister Keir Starmer has offered British troops to assist in guaranteeing Ukraine’s security as part of any potential peace agreement. This announcement comes as he and other European leaders prepare to respond to President Trump’s initiation of talks with Russia regarding the conclusion of the ongoing war in Ukraine.
In an article published in The Daily Telegraph, Mr. Starmer expressed his readiness to contribute to security guarantees for Ukraine, stating he is “ready and willing to contribute to security guarantees to Ukraine by putting our own troops on the ground if necessary.” This marks the first time he has explicitly mentioned the possibility of deploying British troops to Ukraine.
The timing of Mr. Starmer's statement coincides with an emergency meeting of European leaders scheduled for Monday in Paris, aimed at formulating a coordinated response to Mr. Trump’s proposal for a settlement that seemingly excludes Europe and Ukraine from a significant role in the negotiations.
In his article, Mr. Starmer emphasized that the decision to commit British troops would not be taken lightly. He underscored the importance of achieving a lasting peace in Ukraine that protects its sovereignty, stating, “securing a lasting peace in Ukraine that safeguards its sovereignty for the long term is essential if we are to deter Putin from further aggression in the future.”
Mr. Starmer cautioned that the conclusion of the war should not merely serve as a temporary respite before further Russian attacks, asserting, “The end of this war, when it comes, cannot merely become a temporary pause before Putin attacks again.”
Meanwhile, American and Russian officials are expected to convene in Saudi Arabia this week to commence preliminary discussions aimed at ending the conflict. Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated that if a broader dialogue arises, it would encompass Ukraine and Europe.
The upcoming talks highlight Mr. Trump’s expedited timeline for negotiating a resolution and his preference for bilateral discussions with Russia, at least for the time being. Ukraine has confirmed it will not participate in the Saudi discussions.
The Paris meeting will include Mr. Starmer alongside leaders from France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, the Netherlands, and Denmark, as well as senior officials from the European Union and NATO. The agenda will focus on the war and European security.
In his article, Mr. Starmer indicated he would advocate for increased military spending among European nations and a more significant role within NATO. He also asserted that Ukraine’s aspiration to join NATO is “irreversible,” contrasting with the Trump administration's stance against Ukraine's membership in the alliance.
Ukraine has prioritized NATO membership as a strategic goal, believing that alliance protection would deter future Russian aggression. However, its accession during the ongoing conflict remains unlikely, as it would place NATO members in direct confrontation with Russia.
Mr. Starmer, who is anticipated to meet with President Trump in the coming weeks, emphasized the necessity for Europe and the United States to collaborate closely to secure a durable peace agreement. He stated, “A U.S. security guarantee is essential for a lasting peace, because only the U.S. can deter Putin from attacking again.”