The UK’s prime minister, who is due to visit President Trump in Washington later this month, said: “While European nations must step up in this moment – and we will – US support will remain critical and a US security guarantee is essential for a lasting peace, because only the US can deter Putin from attacking again.” Representatives of the US administration and Russian counterparts are expected to meet in Saudi Arabia for talks following Trump’s phone conversation with Putin on Wednesday.
Ukraine must be at the table in these negotiations because anything less would accept Putin’s position that Ukraine is not a real nation.” He also warned of a repeat of the chaos after the withdrawal of US troops from Afghanistan in August 2021 under former president Joe Biden, which followed a deal struck with the Taliban under Trump.
Keir Starmer has said he is prepared to put British troops on the ground in Ukraine if there is a deal to end the war with Russia, acknowledging it could put troops “in harm’s way” if Vladimir Putin launches another attack.
“The end of this war, when it comes, cannot merely become a temporary pause before Putin attacks again.” Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022, UK prime ministers have refused to publicly consider sending British soldiers to the country.
Starmer said that, along with military aid to the country, “it also means being ready and willing to contribute to security guarantees to Ukraine by putting our own troops on the ground if necessary”.
