Keir Starmer now leads a group of around 20 members in what he calls a ‘coalition of the willing.’ The Prime Minister’s office did not rule out the possibility of implementing a ‘Sky Shield’ strategy to prevent Russian missile attacks on Ukraine.
The PM insisted intensive work is continuing on ways to enforce any peace deal struck with Vladimir Putin.
However, Starmer made it clear that there is no guarantee of reaching an agreement, despite former President Donald Trump’s strong efforts to broker a resolution. Moscow has outright rejected the notion of European peacekeeping forces being stationed in Ukraine.
Following a summit between the UK and Ireland, Sir Keir emphasized that he is not willing to pick sides between the United States and Europe. Concerns have been mounting over Trump’s apparent disengagement from Europe’s security matters.
The premier argued it was essential to put America and Kyiv on the ‘same page’ after the extraordinary Oval Office slanging match last week.
Pressed on Mr Trump suspending military aid and intelligence co-operation, Sir Keir said: ‘We need to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position… that’s my strong view.’
It is understood there was a further ‘planning meeting’ on a ‘coalition of the willing’ peacekeeping plan at official level yesterday involving around 20 countries.
Keir Starmer’s ‘coalition of the willing’ now has around 20 members as No10 refused to rule out a ‘Sky Shield’ plan to stop Russian missile attacks on Ukraine. The PM is pictured at a UK-Ireland summit today
EU leaders are holding discussions with Mr Zelensky in Brussels this afternoon
Speaking after a UK-Ireland summit this afternoon, Sir Keir said he would not make a ‘choice between the US and Europe’ amid mounting fears that Mr Trump is washing his hands of the continent’s security
The talks were organised by the UK, and included nations who did not participate in the crisis summit in London on Sunday. There is speculation Australia might be involved.
So far only Britain and France have openly offered to put boots on the ground after a peace deal.
Meanwhile, military experts have been floating the idea of a European air force of 120 fighter jets to secure Ukraine’s skies from Russian attacks.
No10 did not dismiss the idea, which emerged after Mr Zelensky proposed a ‘truce in the air’, but said nothing had been finalised.
No further plans seem to have been made for Sir Keir to head for Washington with Mr Zelensky and French president Emmanuel Macron next week.
EU leaders are holding discussions with Mr Zelensky in Brussels this afternoon.
Speaking with employees working in the defence industry in the North West, the Prime Minister said it was crucial that ‘if there is a deal and we don’t know there will be, that we defend the deal’.
He said Europe must step up in terms of its own defence and security and ‘the United Kingdom will play a leading part because we’ve always stepped up when it is required’.
‘So that’s why I’ve made that commitment on behalf of our country. It has to be done in conjunction with the United States,’ Sir Keir said.
He added: ‘It’s that ability to work with the United States and our European partners that has kept the peace for 80 years now.’
Sir Keir told workers: ‘The fighting is going on and it’s a big mistake to think that well all we’ve got to do is wait for a deal now. We’ve got to make sure that if they are fighting on they’re in the strongest position and even if they go into negotiation that they’re in the strongest position.’
The PM said he will be working to ‘get the US, Ukraine and European allies onto the same page’.
‘I think we have a false choice which is between on the one hand working with the United States and on the other hand working with Europe. We’ve enjoyed peace for 80 years and that’s been incredibly important to Britain because the safety and security of the British public is my number one duty.
‘We’ve done that by working with the US – no two countries work as closely as we do on defence, security and intelligence – but also by working with our European partners.
Vladimir Putin has flatly dismissed the idea of European peacekeepers being in Ukraine
‘That’s why I’m resisting those who are saying – Churchill didn’t make the choice, Attlee didn’t make the choice but they’re now urging me to make the choice between the US and Europe. Wrong choice in my view.’
Asked whether he would have preferred Donald Trump not to have suspended aid to Ukraine, he said: ‘My strong view is that we need to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position.’
He added: ‘What I think is really important now is we continue our work, I continue my work, to get the US, Ukraine, and European allies onto the same page so that we can all focus on what matters most which is lasting peace in Ukraine.’
