Keir Stormer has announced that he is willing to put British troops “in damage” on the ground in Ukraine to face Vladimir Putin’s forces.
In a dramatic escalation of rhetoric prior to an urgent meeting with European leaders in Paris on Monday, the prime minister confirmed that he is prepared to put a peacekeeping strength in Ukraine as the United States appears to negotiate an end to the war with Russia.
Writing in The Daily TelegraphSir Keir said the United Kingdom was “ready to play a leading role” in Ukraine’s defense and security, including commitment of £ 3 billion a year until 2030.
But he said that along with military assistance to Ukraine “it also means to be clear and willing to contribute to security guarantees to Ukraine by putting our own troops on earth if necessary”.
“I’m not saying it easily. I feel very deeply the responsibility that comes with potentially putting British service men and women in harm, ”said Sir Keir.
“But every role in helping guarantee Ukraine’s safety is to help guarantee the security of our continent and this country’s security.
“The end of this war, when it comes, can’t just be a temporary break before Putin attacks again.”
This is the first time he explicitly said he was considering sending British troops to Ukraine after he previously only suggested that they could be involved in protecting Ukraine after a ceasefire
The Prime Minister said it is important to ensure a lasting peace in Ukraine “is crucial if we are to deter Putin from further aggression in the future”.
The message comes in front of his meeting with European leaders about emergencies in Paris as they crawl to respond to Donald Trump’s push for a deal with Putin and appear to be aimed at encouraging both European allies and Trump to dismiss to deter a future attack.
The meeting in Paris called by French President Emmanuel Macron will see Sir Keir together with leaders from Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, the Netherlands and Denmark together with the presidents of the European Council and the Europe Commission and the Secretary General.
The Prime Minister, who will visit Mr. Trump in Washington later this month, said: “While European nations will step up this moment – and we will – will – US support remain critical, and an American security guarantee is important for a lasting peace because Only the United States can discourage Putin from attacking again. “
He added: “I’m on my way to Paris today with a very clear message to our European friends. We have to show that we really look seriously at our own defense and carry our own burden. “
Representatives of the US administration and Russian colleagues are expected to meet in Saudi Arabia for conversations after Mr. Trump’s direct telephone conversation with Mr. Putin on Wednesday. But Ukrainian officials are not expected to be at the table at this time, while other European leaders may not be involved in the process at all.
Sir Keir said: “We must be aware that peace cannot come at any price. Ukraine must be at the table in these negotiations because something less would accept Putin’s attitude that Ukraine is not a real nation. “
Previously, Zelensky warned that the risk Russia will occupy Europe is “100 percent” and said that intelligence showed that 150,000 of Putin’s soldiers gathered in neighboring Belarus.
The Ukrainian president issued the Stark warning during an interview with NBC News, emphasizing that he trusted Trump but would not accept any ceasefire agreement made without Ukraine at the negotiating table.
Without Trump and US administration’s support in Ukraine, Zelensky said they had a “low chance of survival” after he had already endured a three-year long war that has seen them admit 20 percent of their territory to Moscow’s forces .
“And even though I want to look at the army in Russia if they want to see that they, Russia, have 220 or 250 brigades and Europe has 50. That’s the answer. The risk that Russia will occupy Europe is 100 percent, ”he warned.