British Prime Minister Keir Starmer Open to Sending Troops to Ukraine

TDT | Manama
Email : editor@newsofbahrain.com

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on Sunday that he is prepared to deploy British troops to Ukraine as part of a postwar peacekeeping force, emphasizing the importance of European involvement in negotiations to end the ongoing conflict.

In an article published in the Daily Telegraph, Starmer underscored the gravity of his decision, stating that he did not take the prospect of sending British servicemen and women "in harm's way" lightly. However, he stressed that ensuring a lasting peace in Ukraine was crucial to deterring further aggression from Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"The end of Russia's war with Ukraine, when it comes, cannot merely become a temporary pause before Putin attacks again," Starmer wrote. He further expressed Britain’s willingness to support security guarantees for Ukraine, even if it meant deploying troops on the ground. "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."

His remarks mark the first time he has explicitly stated that he is considering sending British peacekeepers to Ukraine. Previously, Starmer had affirmed the UK's commitment to assisting in any peace agreement without detailing potential troop deployments.

The U.S. has also signaled a shift in its diplomatic approach. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on Sunday that Ukraine and Europe must be part of any "real negotiations" to conclude Moscow's war, hinting that upcoming discussions with Russia could gauge Putin's willingness to pursue peace.

Starmer is expected to meet European leaders, including German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, in Paris on Monday. The talks were convened by French President Emmanuel Macron to discuss Ukraine’s future and European security measures.
The announcement follows controversial statements by U.S. President Donald Trump, who last week surprised NATO allies by revealing he had held a private conversation with Putin without consulting European partners. Trump’s Ukraine envoy, Keith Kellogg, subsequently suggested that Ukraine and European leaders might be excluded from formal peace negotiations.

Starmer’s stance appears to challenge that narrative, reinforcing the UK's commitment to Ukraine’s stability and asserting that European nations must play a central role in shaping the postwar landscape.