Starmer urges U.S. to back European peacekeepers in Ukraine
US should provide security support for potential European peacekeepers in Ukraine, as a lasting peace — not just a temporary ceasefire — requires strong guarantees, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said, Reuters reported on Feb. 26.
Speaking ahead of his visit to Washington for talks with President Donald Trump, Starmer reaffirmed that Britain is prepared to contribute to a peacekeeping mission in Ukraine — but only if the U.S. provides "backstop".
"I am absolutely convinced that we need a lasting peace, not just a ceasefire, and that requires security guarantees," Starmer said, adding that the specifics of this support are still under discussion.
The British leader stressed that without clear international backing, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin could use a ceasefire to regroup and launch another invasion.
"If there is a ceasefire without real security support, it will simply give him time to wait and strike again," Starmer warned.
Renewed talks on sending foreign troops to Ukraine
Discussions about deploying international forces to Ukraine resurfaced in November 2024, following Trump’s electoral victory.
On Feb. 11, 2025, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said that the U.S. will not send troops to Ukraine, while Trump remained focused on securing a peace deal.
On Feb. 13, Zelenskyy proposed a 100,000-strong peacekeeping force, with Ukrainian military officials drafting deployment maps to outline security needs.
On Feb. 16, The Telegraph reported that Starmer was "ready and willing" to send British troops to enforce a future peace deal.
On Feb. 19, The Guardian wrote that the UK and France were planning to form a European military force to deter future Russian aggression, with a force of fewer than 30,000 troops, likely focused on air and naval defense.
On Feb. 24, Trump graciously declared he will not stand in the way of European troops heading to Ukraine — as long as it was packaged as a "peace deal."
He even floated the idea that Putin might be totally fine with it.
The Kremlin was quick to deny Trump's allegations, as they have often had to do with the American leader's off-the-cuff announcements.
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