A US "backstop" is the only path to peace in Ukraine, Sir Keir Starmer has said. He joined the leaders of Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, the Netherlands, Denmark and the European Union all attended the summit at the Elysee Palace, alongside NATO secretary general Mark Rutte. Sir Keir Starmer earlier on Monday said he wanted the UK and "all European allies to step up" when it comes to funding and training to defend Ukraine.
Speaking after the summit, Sir Keir said: "Europe must play its role, and I'm prepared to consider committing British forces on the ground alongside others if there is a lasting peace agreement. "But there must be a US backstop because a US security guarantee is the only way to effectively deter Russia from attacking Ukraine again. "So I will go to Washington next week to meet President Trump and to discuss what we see as the key elements of a lasting peace.".
The US and Russia are meeting in Saudi Arabia to discuss the conflict in Ukraine. Neither the EU nor Ukraine have been invited to the talks. US President Donald Trump has said the US no longer sees the defence of Europe as its primary concern, and has called on European nations to spend more on their defence budgets. On Sunday night, Sir Keir confirmed that he was willing to deploy British troops to Ukraine in a peacekeeping role.
