Starmer: UK prepared to deploy troops to Ukraine
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has declared that the UK stands prepared to take a “leading role” in offering security guarantees to Kiev. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
The prime minister has emphasized “deep responsibility” in potentially putting British soldiers at risk.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has stated that the UK is prepared to take a “leading role” in offering security guarantees to Kiev and may deploy troops to Ukraine as part of a peacekeeping initiative, contingent on a ceasefire agreement with Russia.
In an article published in The Telegraph on Sunday, Starmer characterized the conflict in Ukraine as a “once-in-a-generation moment” and an “existential” issue for Europe, thereby validating the possibility of deploying British personnel.
“The UK is ready to play a leading role in accelerating work on security guarantees for Ukraine… But it also means being ready and willing to contribute to security guarantees to Ukraine by putting our own troops on the ground if necessary,” the prime minister 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,” he added. “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.”
Starmer’s announcement arrives as European leaders are set to meet in Paris on Monday for emergency discussions, prompted by US President Donald Trump’s recent appeal for a peace deal with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, along with rising anxieties regarding a potential decrease in US defense commitments in Europe.
On Wednesday, Trump shocked Washington’s European allies with a lengthy call to Putin to explore possible resolutions to the Ukraine conflict. Following that, the US State Department reportedly circulated a document containing six questions aimed at assessing these nations’ readiness to commit to a long-term security arrangement for Kiev.
“If third-country military forces were to be deployed to Ukraine as part of a peace arrangement, what would you consider to be the necessary size of such a European-led force?” was one of the inquiries, according to Reuters.
Another question reportedly asked: “What additional capabilities, equipment, and maintenance sustainment options is your Government prepared to provide to Ukraine to improve its negotiating hand and increase pressure on Russia?”
Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky indicated in January that Kiev requires “at least” 200,000 European soldiers as peacekeepers to enforce any possible agreement with Russia. Nonetheless, analysts recently cited by the New York Times deem this figure unrealistic, suggesting that deploying even 40,000 troops would pose significant challenges.
The Trump administration has consistently indicated its aim to reduce US involvement once a potential truce is established, aiming to transfer the financial and logistical responsibilities of supporting Kiev to Washington’s regional allies.
“To be clear, as part of any security guarantee, there will not be US troops deployed to Ukraine,” US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth informed the Ukraine Defense Contact Group last week.
Moscow’s ambassador to the UN, Vassily Nebenzia, highlighted last week that any peacekeeping force would require a mandate from the UN Security Council to operate legally. Senior Russian diplomat Rodion Miroshnik previously warned that “any contingent entering the territory of Ukraine without the consent and permission of Russia is a military target, with quite understandable consequences.”
Ramin Sohrabi for TROIB News
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has stated that the UK is prepared to take a “leading role” in offering security guarantees to Kiev and may deploy troops to Ukraine as part of a peacekeeping initiative, contingent on a ceasefire agreement with Russia.
In an article published in The Telegraph on Sunday, Starmer characterized the conflict in Ukraine as a “once-in-a-generation moment” and an “existential” issue for Europe, thereby validating the possibility of deploying British personnel.
“The UK is ready to play a leading role in accelerating work on security guarantees for Ukraine… But it also means being ready and willing to contribute to security guarantees to Ukraine by putting our own troops on the ground if necessary,” the prime minister 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,” he added. “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.”
Starmer’s announcement arrives as European leaders are set to meet in Paris on Monday for emergency discussions, prompted by US President Donald Trump’s recent appeal for a peace deal with his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, along with rising anxieties regarding a potential decrease in US defense commitments in Europe.
On Wednesday, Trump shocked Washington’s European allies with a lengthy call to Putin to explore possible resolutions to the Ukraine conflict. Following that, the US State Department reportedly circulated a document containing six questions aimed at assessing these nations’ readiness to commit to a long-term security arrangement for Kiev.
“If third-country military forces were to be deployed to Ukraine as part of a peace arrangement, what would you consider to be the necessary size of such a European-led force?” was one of the inquiries, according to Reuters.
Another question reportedly asked: “What additional capabilities, equipment, and maintenance sustainment options is your Government prepared to provide to Ukraine to improve its negotiating hand and increase pressure on Russia?”
Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky indicated in January that Kiev requires “at least” 200,000 European soldiers as peacekeepers to enforce any possible agreement with Russia. Nonetheless, analysts recently cited by the New York Times deem this figure unrealistic, suggesting that deploying even 40,000 troops would pose significant challenges.
The Trump administration has consistently indicated its aim to reduce US involvement once a potential truce is established, aiming to transfer the financial and logistical responsibilities of supporting Kiev to Washington’s regional allies.
“To be clear, as part of any security guarantee, there will not be US troops deployed to Ukraine,” US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth informed the Ukraine Defense Contact Group last week.
Moscow’s ambassador to the UN, Vassily Nebenzia, highlighted last week that any peacekeeping force would require a mandate from the UN Security Council to operate legally. Senior Russian diplomat Rodion Miroshnik previously warned that “any contingent entering the territory of Ukraine without the consent and permission of Russia is a military target, with quite understandable consequences.”
Ramin Sohrabi for TROIB News
