British troops could police future peace deal between Russia & Ukraine, says Keir Starmer
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BRITISH troops could be deployed to help police a future peace deal between Russia and Ukraine, the Prime Minister has said. And Sir Keir Starmer insisted US President-elect Donald Trump is not about to pull the plug from hero President Zelensky’s war efforts as talks loom.
![[Keir Starmer and Volodymyr Zelenskyy shaking hands.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/newspress-collage-xxkged031-1737054789608.jpg?1737054814&strip=all&w=960)
Speaking in Ukraine as Russian drones were shot down around him, the PM declared “nothing is off the table” in the UK’s hopes for “just and lasting” peace. He told The Sun: “If there are to be security guarantees of some sort the UK will play its part.”.
![[Two Russian soldiers carrying weapons walk along a muddy road.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/photo-taken-video-released-russian-964183402.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
In an interview in Kyiv, Sir Keir said he was confident Mr Trump will not walk away, saying the US leader — set to be sworn in next week — was “acutely aware” Russian President Vladimir Putin cannot be allowed to escape scot free with his aggression.
![[Keir Starmer and Volodymyr Zelensky laying wreaths at a memorial wall.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/r-arrive-lay-wreaths-wall-964157974.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
But the incoming White House team has made clear Ukraine must be “realistic” in peace talks about surrendering territory to Russia. One plan could see hundreds of British and French boots on the ground patrolling a demilitarised zone between Russia and Ukraine following that past three years of bloody war following the invasion.
![[Keir Starmer with Ukrainian schoolchildren waving British and Ukrainian flags.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/british-prime-minister-keir-starmer-964199563.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
But both the PM and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the idea of European peacekeepers would only be acted on if it would be a credible barrier to further Russian invasions. Sir Keir said: “It’s important that if we get to that stage, that the guarantees are capable of, and effective in, guaranteeing an enduring peace, not a pause.”.
![[Vladimir Putin at a meeting.]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/russian-president-vladimir-putin-looks-964188555.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
