Keir Starmer is reportedly ready to send British troops to Ukraine for ‘as long as it takes’, with an insider saying ‘we are talking about years’ as he tries to put a peace plan together
Thousands of British troops could be posted in Ukraine for YEARS to stop Vladimir Putin striking again.
Keir Starmer is reportedly ready to commit them for “as long as it takes”. The PM has repeatedly pledged to put British boots on the ground to enforce a peace deal if one is reached – with an insider admitting “we’re talking years”. Mr Starmer is putting together a “coalition of the willing”, with leaders set to meet in London on Thursday to discuss how a peackeeping force would be deployed.
It is believed around 30,000 troops could be sent by participating nations, but the UK has yet to say how many would be British. But Mr Starmer maintains he will only commit armed forces if the US provides a security guarantee – which it is yet to do.
An insider told The Times: “It would be a long-term commitment, we are talking about years. As long as it takes to preserve a peace deal and deter Russia.”
On Thursday Mr Starmer and his fellow leaders will talk “in great specifity” about how a peacekeeping force would be deployed. The PM has not said whether he will authorise British troops to open fire on Russian soldiers if they launch an attack on Ukraine.
On Saturday he confirmed planning for European peacekeeping forces are entering an “operational” phase. It comes as Donald Trump announced he would be holding talks with Putin in an effort to broker a peace deal.
Mr Starmer told a Downing Street press conference on Saturday that military chiefs will meet next week to “put strong and robust plans in place to swing in behind a peace deal and guarantee Ukraine’s future security”.
Mr Starmer accused Putin of trying to “delay” a ceasefire by insisting on unreasonable conditions and “painstaking studies”. “Sooner or later, Putin will have to come to the table,” he said.
“So, this is the moment, let the guns fall silent, let the barbaric attacks on Ukraine, once and for all, stop and agree to a ceasefire now.”
But pressed on whether there was a “plan B” should Putin not come to his senses, the PM accepted the “coalition of the willing” must be prepared to help Ukraine into a strong position even if peace talks fall apart.
On Sunday Health Secretary Wes Streeting said Russian soldiers confronting British troops in Ukraine would be an “extraordinary escalation”. He said the prospect of a clash would be sufficient to deter Russia from breaching a ceasefire.
The Labour frontbencher said: “I think it would be an extraordinary escalation for Russian troops to find themselves in conflict with British troops.” He added: “At the moment, the peace is still to be negotiated, but work is underway to prepare for potential peacekeeping.
“The situation is moving incredibly quickly. Not quickly enough. I think if you’re someone in Ukraine fighting for that, then their life and their freedom. But the situation is now moving quickly. The Prime Minister is working closely with international allies to try and make sure that we don’t just bring an end to the war, but we secure the peace.”
