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.
While speaking in Ukraine, the Prime Minister emphasized that “nothing is off the table” in the UK’s pursuit of a “just and lasting” peace, amidst the backdrop of Russian drones being shot down in the vicinity.
He told The Sun: “If there are to be security guarantees of some sort the UK will play its part.”
During an interview in Kyiv, Sir Keir expressed confidence that the incoming US President, Mr. Trump, would not back away from the situation. He highlighted that the US leader, who is due to be inaugurated in the following week, was fully cognizant of the fact that Russian President Vladimir Putin should not go unpunished for his aggressive actions.
But the incoming White House team has made clear Ukraine must be “realistic” in peace talks about surrendering territory to Russia.
A potential strategy being considered involves deploying hundreds of British and French troops to patrol a demilitarized zone between Russia and Ukraine. This proposal comes after three years of brutal conflict following the initial invasion, indicating a proactive approach towards achieving stability in the region.
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.”
President Zelensky insisted foreign troops could only be “one segment” of a peace plan — insisting he still needed full Nato membership to prevent another war.
He and Sir Keir met for the seventh time yesterday — the PM’s first visit to Ukraine since gaining power.
Their meeting was interrupted by air raid sirens and anti-aircraft fire as an unmanned Kremlin reconnaissance craft flew above the presidential palace.
Inside, a frustrated Mr Zelensky vented his frustration against continued delays in Ukraine joining Nato, launching an astonishing broadside at the US and Germany for frustrating the process.
Flanked by Sir Keir, he asked “If not now then when?” for membership.
But the PM stopped short of naming a date for Ukrainian accession to the defence alliance.
Mr Zelensky claimed it was clear from last July’s Nato summit that the powers “could not see” Ukraine as a member.
Last night, Sir Keir accepted there was more work to be done within the alliance to convince all 32 members that Ukraine can join.
He said: “There should be an irreversible path to membership and that’s our position and I will continue to uphold our position.”
On peacekeepers, war-weary Mr Zelensky said: “It is too early to speak about details, but we are discussing it with countries that are either willing to do it and capable of doing it.
“But sometimes goodwill is not enough. We need to talk about what format of security guarantees. It can only be a segment, a part.”
And acknowledging the potential upheaval Mr Trump’s return to the White House may cause, he added: “There is no security for Ukraine without the USA.
“That’s why it is too early to talk details as we have not had detailed discussions about security guarantees with the new Americans.”
PM Sir Keir said the European peacekeepers plan — first proposed by the French — was raised during talks with Mr Zelensky in Kyiv yesterday.
He did not rule out British engagement, saying: “Let me be really clear when I say we will work with you and all of our allies on steps that would be robust enough to guarantee lasting peace and security.
“Those conversations will continue for many months ahead and we are happy to play our part leading those conversations.”
And the Prime Minister added: “It’s really important Ukraine is put in the strongest possible position.
“Peace through strength must be more than words — it has to be actions. We will play our part in guaranteeing Ukraine’s security.”
But the PM warned history taught us aggression cannot be rewarded, and Russia must not be allowed to get away with its raid on Ukraine.
Asked if he feared Mr Trump could walk away from Ukraine, he warned: “The history of the 21st century is being written today.”
It came on a day Sir Keir also visited school children in Kyiv who were talking to British primary pupils via a video link.
He also accompanied Mr Zelensky to lay wreaths at the Ukrainian capital’s Wall of Remembrance of the Fallen.
Forced to the table
Harry Cole in Kiev
UKRAINE is holding its breath to see what Donald Trump brings.
This war-weary country seems resigned to the fact the incoming US President will stick to his word and force them to the table with their bloodthirsty neighbour Russia.
But at what price?
Too much blood and too much cash has been spent to for Ukraine to give up all the territory seized by Putin since 2022.
If that was the simple outcome then a surrender deal could have been years ago – without tens of thousands of lives lost and billions spent in support for Ukraine and around the Europe in crippling energy costs.
Bur without a tangible guarantee of whatever borders Ukraine has redrawn by these talks, then what is to stop Putin coming back for more in a few years time?
Zelensky says only NATO membership will work – but Trump is sceptical.
Starmer insists his new buddy will not pull the plug next week when he returns to the Oval Office.
But not many people here in Kyiv seem to share that confidence.
