Sir Keir Starmer: UK ‘Ready and Willing’ to Deploy Troops for Ukraine Security Guarantees

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has indicated the UK’s willingness to deploy troops to Ukraine as part of a peacekeeping force to enforce a potential peace agreement. This marks a significant shift in his public stance and comes ahead of a crucial summit in Paris convened by French President Emmanuel Macron.

In an exclusive article for The Telegraph, Sir Keir emphasized the gravity of the decision to consider deploying British service personnel. His remarks precede Monday’s meeting with European leaders in Paris, called by Macron after European nations were excluded from initial Ukraine peace discussions between the US and Russia. Concerns about potential reductions in US security commitments to Europe under a future Trump administration have also fueled the push for a European-led initiative.

Sir Keir’s declaration is expected to increase pressure on European allies, particularly Germany, to support such a force. He also suggested the UK could act as a key intermediary between Europe and the US in the peace process.

Meanwhile, Russian and US foreign ministers are scheduled to meet in Saudi Arabia to discuss a potential peace agreement, notably without Ukraine’s participation. Sir Keir strongly criticized this exclusion, drawing parallels to the US’s exclusion of the Afghan government from talks during the withdrawal from Afghanistan.

“The UK is ready to play a leading role in accelerating work on security guarantees for Ukraine,” Sir Keir wrote. “This includes further military support, with the UK already committed to providing £3 billion annually until at least 2030. But it also means being prepared to contribute to Ukraine’s security by deploying our troops if necessary. I do not say this lightly. The responsibility of potentially putting British service personnel in harm’s way is one I take very seriously.”

Since the Russian invasion in February 2022, UK prime ministers have avoided publicly discussing troop deployments. However, Sir Keir has now signaled his openness to supporting Macron’s proposal for a European-led peacekeeping force, a concept European leaders have been discussing privately amid concerns about potential US reluctance under a Trump presidency.

A Downing Street source suggested Sir Keir’s public comments before the Paris summit were partly prompted by discussions at the Munich Security Conference, where US officials emphasized the need for Europe to take greater responsibility for its own defense.

The Paris summit will bring together leaders from France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, the Netherlands, Denmark, the European Commission, the European Council, and NATO. Discussions will focus on the structure of a potential European peacekeeping mission, with one proposal suggesting European troops could be stationed behind a newly established front line, while Ukrainian forces remain at the border. However, questions remain about the availability of sufficient troops, with estimates suggesting a force of up to 100,000 soldiers might be required.

Sir Keir stressed the urgency of these discussions: “The coming days will determine the future security of our continent. As I will say in Paris, peace is achieved through strength, but weakness invites war. This is a moment for us all to step up. The UK will do so—not only because it aligns with our values and freedoms, but because it is essential to our national security.”

Following the Paris talks, Sir Keir is scheduled to meet with Trump in Washington to discuss the outcomes. Defense spending remains a contentious issue in the UK, with military leaders advocating for an increase beyond the 2.5% of GDP target. Current spending is at 2.3%, and the British Army’s troop numbers have fallen below 73,000—the lowest since the Napoleonic era.

Sir Keir reiterated the necessity of Ukraine’s direct involvement in any peace negotiations, particularly following a recent phone call between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin that excluded Kyiv. He emphasized that “Ukraine must be at the table in these negotiations because anything less would validate Putin’s claim that Ukraine is not a legitimate nation. We cannot repeat the mistakes made in Afghanistan, where the US sidelined the Afghan government in negotiations with the Taliban.”

Macron has also stressed the importance of European involvement in the peace process, stating he has discussed with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman the need for Europe to play a central role in achieving a “solid and lasting peace.” Former UK Prime Minister Sir John Major has criticized Trump’s approach, warning against allowing Russia to retain seized Ukrainian territory.

Sir Keir concluded by emphasizing that any peace agreement must recognize Ukraine’s sovereignty. Meanwhile, UK military leaders have urged increased investment in a “national arsenal” of advanced weaponry to deter future conflicts, arguing this aligns with national security needs and the government’s economic growth agenda.

Source:AnkoleTimes