Sir Keir Starmer has announced that the UK will play its “full part” in peacekeeping efforts in Ukraine, suggesting British troops could be deployed in the event of a peace agreement. His comments came during his first official visit to Kyiv since becoming Prime Minister, where he indicated discussions are underway with international partners, including French President Emmanuel Macron and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, about the potential role of Western peacekeepers.
Starmer’s remarks reflect Britain’s continued commitment to supporting Ukraine in the face of ongoing Russian aggression, particularly as the possibility of a peace deal comes into focus. Speaking to Sky News’ Beth Rigby, Sir Keir emphasised the UK’s long-standing role as one of the leading countries in defending Ukraine and confirmed Britain’s intention to contribute to any future peacekeeping operations to ensure a stable and lasting peace.
The visit to Kyiv coincided with a drone attack on the Ukrainian capital, underscoring the continued threat posed by Russia’s unprovoked invasion. Sir Keir praised the resilience of the Ukrainian people, noting their unwavering determination in the face of such attacks: “Whatever the challenge, they have this determination to get through it. This real sense of national pride. Civilian pride. That’s all the same.”
While Russian President Vladimir Putin shows “no signs” of wanting peace, as Sir Keir pointed out, the UK remains committed to ensuring that Ukraine is in the strongest possible position should a peace agreement be reached. When asked about the possibility of deploying British troops to Ukraine to help safeguard any future ceasefire, Sir Keir confirmed that the UK would continue to work closely with its NATO allies, including President Macron and President Zelensky, on the issue. He stressed, however, that it was important not to jump ahead of discussions and that any deployment must be part of a lasting and sustainable solution.
“We will be discussing this with a number of allies, including, of course, President Macron and President Zelensky here today, and we will play our full part,” Sir Keir said. “We have always been one of the leading countries in relation to the defence of Ukraine, and so if you can read into that that we will be playing our full part, but I don’t want to get ahead of ourselves. This has to be enduring, lasting.”
French President Emmanuel Macron has been a leading advocate for NATO allies to consider deploying troops to Ukraine to monitor a potential ceasefire and ensure peace. Sir Keir reiterated that the UK remains fully committed to NATO, with British forces already deployed in various frontline positions.
President Zelensky, however, noted that it is “a bit too early to talk about details” regarding peacekeeping forces, a sentiment shared by Sir Keir, who acknowledged that conversations on the matter would likely continue for months. “We will work with you and all our allies for steps that would be robust enough to guarantee Ukraine’s security, to guarantee any possible peace and deter any future aggression,” Sir Keir said, emphasising the importance of collaboration and the need for continued support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and security.
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As the UK and Ukraine formalised their relationship with a new “100-year” agreement, Sir Keir highlighted the significance of the pact, which solidifies Britain’s commitment to Ukraine’s defence and economic stability. In a social media post following the agreement, Sir Keir remarked, “The history of the 21st century is being written here and now. Together, our strength will set it on the right path. Slava Ukraini.”
The visit takes place just days before Donald Trump is set to enter the White House, potentially signalling a shift in US policy toward Ukraine. Trump has long advocated for “peace through strength,” and his newly appointed secretary of state, Marco Rubio, recently suggested that both Ukraine and Russia may need to make concessions for the war to end. President Zelensky, however, has maintained that Russia must be forced into a real peace, one that can only be achieved through strength.
As the geopolitical landscape evolves, Sir Keir’s statements reflect Britain’s ongoing role as a key player in the international response to the Russian invasion. His commitment to supporting Ukraine, both diplomatically and militarily, remains steadfast, with the UK pledging to help guarantee Ukraine’s security and work towards a durable peace.
