Prime Minister Keir Starmer has stated he would be prepared to send British troops to Ukraine as part of a European peacekeeping force if Moscow agrees to a deal requiring their presence. This marks the first time Starmer has publicly acknowledged his willingness to deploy UK forces to Ukraine.
His remarks come ahead of an emergency meeting of European leaders in Paris, where discussions will focus on the shifting geopolitical landscape and the future of European defence. In an op-ed for The Daily Telegraph, Starmer acknowledged the risks involved, saying that sending troops could put them “in harm’s way” but insisted the crisis was an “existential” issue for Europe and a “once-in-a-generation moment.”
The UK has already pledged £3 billion (€3.6bn) annually in support of Ukraine until 2030, and Starmer has positioned Britain as a leading force in Ukraine’s defence and security. His comments follow a series of statements from officials in the new Trump administration, signaling a potential reduction in US military commitments in Europe.
US President Donald Trump’s special envoy on Ukraine and Russia, Keith Kellogg, recently stated that Europe was unlikely to have a seat at future US-led peace talks between Russia and Ukraine. However, he acknowledged that a “European alliance” would be crucial in ensuring Ukrainian sovereignty. Trump and US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth have also downplayed concerns about Russia’s occupation of Ukrainian territory and Kyiv’s aspirations to join NATO—both key issues for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Amid growing uncertainty over US involvement, European leaders are exploring ways to play a greater role in securing a peace agreement. The idea of a European-led peacekeeping mission in Ukraine has been circulating since early 2024, when French President Emmanuel Macron suggested the possibility of sending French troops. While details remain unclear, the size, composition, and mandate of such a force would depend on the terms of any potential peace deal and the state of the conflict at the time.
In his op-ed, Starmer echoed calls from both US and EU officials for Europe to “increase defence spending” and take on a larger role within NATO. His remarks highlight the growing urgency among European leaders to assert their influence in Ukraine’s security, especially as the US signals a shift in its foreign policy priorities.
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