Keir Starmer is planning a “Europe Plus” army to keep the peace in Ukraine if a peace deal to end Russia’s invasion can be agreed. His “coalition of the willing” is expected to include Canada and Turkey as well as European nations, according to reports.
The UK and France will provide troops and are leading efforts to create the force.
As well as ground troops, they are expected to provide air cover with military planes patrolling Ukraine’s skies. US President Trump is aware of the plans, and full details will be presented to him “in the coming days”, it was reported.
Sir Keir still hopes the President will agree that the US should provide a military “backstop” which would include air cover provided by US forces in neighbouring eastern European countries – but the US will not provide “boots on the ground” in Ukraine, even though British forces will be there.
The military force will only go to Ukraine if the current war is brought to an end. Their role will be to deter any future Russian attacks. Sir Keir indicated that Parliament will be given a vote before a firm decision on sending troops to Ukraine is made. It is likely Conservatives as well as Labour MPs will support the proposal, meaning it is a vote Sir Keir would win easily.
Responding in the House of Commons to questions asked by Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, Sir Keir said: “She asks about the details of any deployment. We will, of course, put details before the House when we get to that stage, if we get to that stage.”
Sir Keir further said: “My strong view is that we have to move forward, we have to lead from the front, and therefore we need a coalition of the willing, because otherwise we will move at the speed of the most reluctant, and that will be too slow.
“A number of countries and allies indicated their support. They will set that out in due course. I won’t pretend that every country is in the same place on this issue. That is why I and others took the view that we should take a leading position and move forward.”
Referring to Sunday’s summit of world leaders in London, he said: “We agreed on Sunday that those willing to play a role in this will intensify planning now, and as this House would expect Britain will play a leading role with, if necessary, and together with others, boots on the ground and planes in the air.
“It is right that Europe do the heavy lifting to support peace on our continent, but to succeed this effort must also have strong US backing.”
Ms Badenoch said: “President Zelensky is a hero. He is a symbol of the bravery of the Ukrainian people. There are, of course, many areas where the Prime Minister and I disagree, but now is the time for us to discuss where we do agree. I welcome all of his actions this weekend to convene European leaders, as well as the focus on economic security.”
She added: “The Prime Minister has suggested that British troops could be deployed in Ukraine. There are obviously a range of possible options for what such a deployment could look like, and we are keen to work with the Government, but we will need details of any such plan.
“This will be a difficult but significant step. I know many in Parliament and across our country will be interested in what this entails, and I ask him to work with us so there can be effective scrutiny.
“I also welcome the coalition of the willing to support Ukraine and agree that Europe must do the heavy lifting.”
