The Prime Minister confirmed he is ready to deploy a British peacekeeping force in Ukraine if there is a deal to end the war with Russia.
Sir Keir Starmer acknowledged British soldiers could be put “in harm’s way” if Putin launches another assualt on Ukra ine.
Sir Keir is meeting up with European leaders for emergency talks in Paris as they attempt to formulate a defence strategy in response to US President Donald Trump’s desire to broker a deal between Kyiv and Moscow. The PM’s meeting also comes amid concerns in European capitals that the US is poised to step back from its defensive commitments on the continent.
The Labour leader called the crisis a “once in a generation moment” and an “existential” question for Europe.
Welsh Guards training in South Wales (Image: Getty)
Writing in The Daily Telegraph, he said the UK was “ready to play a leading role” in ensuring Ukraine’s security, including the commitment of a £3bn annual spend until 2030.
Besides providing military aid, Sir Keir said his position “also means being ready and willing to contribute to security guarantees to Ukraine by putting our own troops on the ground if necessary”.
Sir Keir wrote: “I do not say that lightly. I feel very deeply the responsibility that comes with potentially putting British servicemen and women in harm’s way.
“But any role in helping to guarantee Ukraine’s security is helping to guarantee the security of our continent, and the security of this country.
“The end of this war, when it comes, cannot merely become a temporary pause before Putin attacks again.”
Civilians are evacuated from Pokrovsk (Image: Getty)
French President Emmanuel Macron called the meeting in Paris, which will see Sir Keir joined by leaders from Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, the Netherlands and Denmark along with the presidents of the European Council and European Commission and the secretary general of Nato.
Sir Keir said: “I am heading to Paris today with a very clear message for our European friends.
“We have got to show we are truly serious about our own defence and bearing our own burden.”
As it stands the UK spends 2.5% of GDP on Defence, half the 5% Donald Trump has called NATO members to spend, and less than the 3% NATO General Secretary Mark Rutte wants.
