UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has expressed his readiness to deploy British troops to Ukraine if needed, just hours before European leaders meet in Paris on Monday to discuss the shifting U.S. policy on the war.
U.S. President Donald Trump recently prioritised talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, sidelining Kyiv and its European allies. Trump believes that Putin wants to end the war and hinted that he could meet Putin “very soon.” In response, European leaders are gathering in Paris to address the future of European security.
Starmer referred to the situation as a “once-in-a-generation moment” and emphasized that sending British troops would help guarantee Ukraine’s security, which he sees as tied to Europe’s overall security. On Sunday, he wrote in the Daily Telegraph that any role in supporting Ukraine’s defence would be crucial for the continent’s safety and stability.
🔴 Sir Keir Starmer has announced he is “ready and willing” to put British troops on the ground in Ukraine to enforce any peace deal
Find out more ⬇️https://t.co/bdvLzhx6wp pic.twitter.com/cHCj580SEZ
— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) February 17, 2025Trump’s position on Ukraine contrasts sharply with Europe’s. He suggested that Ukraine should not join NATO and indicated that the U.S. would no longer prioritize Europe’s security. Meanwhile, U.S. defence chief Pete Hegseth also seems to rule out the possibility of Ukraine reclaiming all of its territories or joining NATO.
Leaders from the UK, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, the Netherlands, and Denmark are expected to attend the Paris summit, which coincides with the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on February 24. EU chief Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President Antonio Costa, and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte will also attend the talks.
'Keir Starmer is offering to protect the whole of Ukraine when he can't even protect the people of his own country!'
Dawn Neesom hits out at Keir Starmer over his plans to send British troops to Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/pMccmSJB6o
— GB News (@GBNEWS) February 17, 2025The French presidency confirmed that the summit will address the current situation in Ukraine and broader European security issues. President Emmanuel Macron’s adviser emphasized that Europe must act decisively and cohesively for its collective security, given the evolving nature of the Ukraine conflict and the U.S. shift in policy.
As the Kremlin pushes for U.S.-Russian negotiations to take place in Saudi Arabia, Europe fears that Putin may once again demand limits on NATO forces in Eastern Europe and on U.S. military presence on the continent.
Read: US and Russian Officials to Discuss Ukraine Conflict in Saudi Arabia
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has downplayed expectations of a breakthrough in the upcoming talks, stating that peace efforts will require more than one meeting. European leaders, however, insist that any peace deal must involve Ukraine and its European partners. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has also called for creating a European army, expressing doubts that Europe can rely on U.S. support in the long term.
