Britain has the capability to send peace-keeping troops to Ukraine, says a Cabinet minister. Science Secretary Peter Kyle stressed that the UK was a “leading country when it comes to peace-keeping”. His comments came as world leaders were meeting in Munich at a security conference to discuss steps to end the war in Ukraine. Sir Keir Starmer said on a visit to Kyiv in January that Britain would play its “full part” in peacekeeping efforts in Ukraine.
Asked on ITV’s Good Morning Britain whether the UK had the capability to do this given the cuts to the armed forces, Mr Kyle said: “We certainly have the capability. “Britain is a leading country when it comes to peace-keeping. “We have done it in many situations before. “Our armed forces are exceptional at doing so.”. US Vice President JD Vance has appeared to float the idea that America could send soldiers to Ukraine if Vladimir Putin refuses to negotiate a peace deal in good faith.
Another option is that the US could provide air cover for European troops on the ground in Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was expected to meet Mr Vance in Munich on Friday after Donald Trump startled US allies by calling Vladimir Putin and announcing the start of talks to end the war in Ukraine. Trump’s move stoked fears among European governments that they may be cut out of a deal to end the war that could be too favourable to Russia and undermine their own security.
Sir Keir Starmer has rebuffed Trump holding one-to-one talks with Putin to strike a peace deal, without Ukraine being present. He has also stressed that Ukraine is on an “irreversible” path to Nato membership, which contrasted with the language used by US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth that Nato membership would not be part of a deal to end the war which Putin launched almost three years ago. Mr Hegseth was also forced to deny a “betrayal” of Ukraine after saying it was “unrealistic” to expect annexed Crimea not to remain in Russian hands as part of a peace accord.
Former British Defence Secretary Sir Ben Wallace has said there is a “stench” of Nazi “appeasement” hanging over the Trump-Putin talks as world leaders were gathering in Munich to discuss the Ukraine conflict. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said there must be no “sham peace” agreed by Trump and Putin for Ukraine. Speaking at the start of the Munich Security Conference, she said: “A sham peace, over the heads of Ukrainians and Europeans, would gain nothing.
“A sham peace would not bring lasting security, neither for the people in Ukraine nor for us in Europe or the United States.”. Trump said on Wednesday he had held a “highly productive phone call” with Putin and they had agreed to start negotiations immediately. He then briefed Mr Zelensky on the call. Ukraine’s president has been publicly cordial about Trump’s call with the Russian president but also warned world leaders against “trusting Putin’s claims of readiness to end the war”.
