Keir Starmer said the UK and Europe are facing a “generational challenge when it comes to national security” and “need to do more” after he said he was willing to put a peacekeeping force into Ukraine.
The Prime Minister will attend crisis talks with European leaders in Paris later on how to respond to Donald Trump’s decision to kick start peace negotiations with Vladimir Putin. His decision to publicly discuss putting British troops on the ground in Ukraine as part of a peacekeeping force will ramp up pressure on European allies. It is the first time a UK PM has made that commitment since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.
Speaking to reporters in Bristol before travelling to Paris, the Prime Minister said: “We’re facing a generational challenge when it comes to national security. Obviously, the immediate question is the future of Ukraine and we must continue to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position whatever happens next, and to make sure that if there is peace – and we all want peace – that it is lasting.
“I think there’s a bigger piece here as well, which is that this isn’t just about the front line in Ukraine. It’s the front line of Europe and of the United Kingdom. It’s our national security.”
Mr Starmer warned that any peace deal cannot give “Putin the chance to come again”. He said: “It’s very important, after three years now of this dreadful conflict, to try to move forward. Of course we could have a resolution tomorrow if Russia, the aggressor, pulled back.
“But until we get a peace agreement, we must ensure Ukraine is in the strongest possible position.” The PM said a credible plan was needed for a potential ceasefire, adding: “The last thing I want to see is a pause in the fighting that simply gives Putin the chance to come again.”
If you can’t see the poll, click here
Ministers have refused to speculate on how many troops the UK could send for a potential peacekeeping force. Former British Army chief Lord Richard Dannatt questioned whether Britain has the manpower for a long term mission – and said it would come “at a considerable cost”.
Lord Dannatt said: “Frankly, we haven’t got the numbers and we haven’t got the equipment to put a large force onto the ground for an extended period of time at the present moment.”
The Government is under pressure to spell out how it will reach its target of hiking defence spending to 2.5% of GDP. However No10 is resisting calls from military chiefs to increase the target further.
Mr Starmer called on European governments to “step up” defence capabilities and funding, and said the UK was committed to spending 2.5%. “We are going through a strategic review of defence at the moment, which is looking at the challenges and the capability, and then we’ll set out that path,” he said.
BLUESKY: Follow our Mirror Politics account on Bluesky here. And follow our Mirror Politics team here – Lizzy Buchan, Mikey Smith, Kevin Maguire, Sophie Huskisson, Dave Burke and Ashley Cowburn.
POLITICS WHATSAPP: Be first to get the biggest bombshells and breaking news by joining our Politics WhatsApp group here. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you want to leave our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
NEWSLETTER: Or sign up here to the Mirror’s Politics newsletter for all the best exclusives and opinions straight to your inbox.
PODCAST: And listen to our exciting new political podcast The Division Bell, hosted by the Mirror and the Express every Thursday.
No10 said a US security guarantee was essential to any peace deal and confirmed the PM will meet President Trump in Washington next week, as reported by the Mirror at the weekend. The PM’s official spokesman did not rule out a vote in Parliament about a future decision to put troops in Ukraine.
It comes as US Secretary of State Marco Rubio travelled to Saudi Arabia for talks with Russian officials, aimed at ending the war. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and President Vladimir Putin’s aide, Yuriy Ushakov, were flying out to Riyadh for talks planned for Tuesday, Russian state-run media reported.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the talks will be focused on “restoring the entire complex of US-Russian relations” as well as setting up possible talks on Ukraine and a meeting between Presidents Trump and Putin.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said his country weren’t due to take part in US-Russia talks and warned that he won’t accept the outcome if Ukraine doesn’t take part. Mr Zelensky is also due to be in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday for an unrelated visit.
Get UK politics insight with our free daily email briefing straight to your inbox