UK plans to send peacekeeping forces to Ukraine ahead of talks in Paris

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has emerged as the first European leader to express readiness to deploy peacekeeping troops in Ukraine. This commitment was made prior to an emergency leaders’ meeting in Paris, aimed at addressing Europe’s involvement in a potential ceasefire.

Starmer’s remarks highlight an increasing awareness among European nations of the necessity to assume a more significant role in safeguarding Ukraine’s security, particularly as the United States engages directly with Russia regarding a possible resolution to the ongoing conflict.

Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson indicated on Monday that the country would contemplate contributing to post-war peacekeeping forces in Ukraine, although he emphasized that negotiations must advance before any decision is finalized.

Last week, U.S. President Donald Trump surprised Ukraine and its European allies by revealing he had spoken with Russian President Vladimir Putin about ending the war, without prior consultation with them. This initiative is set to progress with discussions this week in Saudi Arabia involving U.S. and Russian officials.

Keith Kellogg, Trump’s envoy to Ukraine, stated on Saturday that Europe would not be included in any peace negotiations. Meanwhile, Washington has circulated a questionnaire to European capitals to assess their potential contributions to security guarantees for Kyiv.

At the Paris summit on Monday, President Emmanuel Macron was scheduled to host leaders from Germany, Italy, Britain, Poland, Spain, the Netherlands, and Denmark, representing Baltic and Scandinavian nations, along with European Union leadership and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. A French presidency official noted that the agenda would focus on “the security guarantees that can be provided by Europeans and Americans, either jointly or independently,” with peacekeeping being one aspect of these security assurances.

Starmer, who is anticipated to visit Washington for discussions with Trump next week, stated on Sunday that Europe is experiencing a “once in a generation moment” regarding the continent’s collective security, emphasizing the need for close collaboration with the United States. He expressed that Britain is prepared to take a prominent role in providing security assurances for Ukraine, including the potential deployment of “our own troops on the ground if necessary.”

In an article for the Daily Telegraph, he cautioned that the conclusion of this conflict should not merely serve as a temporary respite before further aggression from Putin. The upcoming European meeting in Paris follows numerous similar summits, which have highlighted the EU’s struggle to formulate a unified strategy to resolve the Ukraine crisis. Although Britain is not part of the EU, it has been a staunch ally of Ukraine.

EUROPE MUST ‘ENHANCE EFFORTS AND IMPROVE’

A Ukrainian official informed Reuters last week that only Britain and France had indicated any readiness to deploy troops in the future. However, this situation may be evolving. Sweden’s Kristersson remarked on Monday that there is “absolutely a possibility” of sending peacekeeping forces. He noted that a clear mandate for such forces is essential, but it may not be established until further progress is made in ongoing negotiations.

A peacekeeping force could increase the likelihood of a direct clash with Russia and would place additional strain on European military resources, which have been diminished due to their support for Ukraine. These forces have also become accustomed to significant U.S. assistance for major operations.

An official from the French presidency emphasized that Europe must enhance its efforts in a more effective and coordinated way to ensure collective security. Nonetheless, certain nations expressed dissatisfaction that the gathering in Paris did not constitute a complete EU summit, according to EU officials.

The French presidency representative noted that this meeting would pave the way for further discussions in Brussels and at NATO.