Britain will put boots on the ground in Ukraine to help secure peace once the war ends, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced Sunday, breaking new ground in Western military commitments to Kyiv.
The announcement comes as US and Russian officials prepare for preliminary talks in Saudi Arabia while European leaders scramble to maintain influence in the peace process.
“Securing a lasting peace in Ukraine that safeguards its sovereignty is essential if we are to deter Putin from further aggression,” Starmer wrote in The Daily Telegraph. “I do not say that lightly,” he explained. “I feel very deeply the responsibility that comes with potentially putting British servicemen and women in harm’s way.”
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His pledge precedes an emergency summit in Paris Monday, where nine European nations will craft their response to a surprise diplomatic push by President Trump. Last week, Trump bypassed NATO allies to speak directly with Putin and launch peace negotiations, prompting his envoy Keith Kellogg to suggest European leaders might be excluded from talks.
European leaders view the developments with growing unease. On Sunday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio tried to calm nerves, promising Ukraine and Europe would participate in any “real negotiations” with Moscow. Ukraine, meanwhile, has already opted out of the Saudi discussions.
Starmer aims to position Britain as a crucial link between Washington and European capitals during peace talks. He plans to visit the US capital soon to press his case. “A US security guarantee is essential for lasting peace,” he wrote, “because only the US can deter Putin from attacking again.”
The Paris gathering will bring together leaders from France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, the Netherlands and Denmark, alongside EU and NATO officials. They face mounting pressure to increase defense spending and take on larger security roles as questions emerge about America’s reliability as a partner.
“We are facing a once in a generation moment for the collective security of our continent,” Starmer wrote. “This is not only a question about the future of Ukraine. It is existential for Europe as a whole.”
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