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PEACE DEAL PLAN
British troops could police future peace deal between Russia & Ukraine, says Keir Starmer
Starmer warned Russia must not be allowed to get away with its raid on Ukraine
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 was not about to pull the plug from hero President Volodymyr Zelensky’s war efforts as talks loom.
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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.”
In an interview in Kyiv, Sir Keir said he was confident Mr Trump will not walk away, saying the returning 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.
But the incoming White House team has made it clear Ukraine must be “realistic” in talks over surrendering territory to Russia.
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One plan could see hundreds of British and French boots on the ground patrolling a demilitarised zone between Russia and Ukraine after the past three years of bloody war following the invasion.
But both the PM and Ukraine’s Mr 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, the guarantees are capable of — and effective in — guaranteeing an enduring peace, not a pause.”
Mr Zelensky insisted foreign troops could only be “one segment” of a peace plan — insisting Ukraine still needed full Nato membership to prevent another war.
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Yesterday was Sir Keir’s seventh meeting with Mr Zelensky — and his first visit to Ukraine since gaining power last July.
Their meeting was interrupted by air raid sirens and anti-aircraft fire as an unmanned Kremlin reconnaissance craft flew above the presidential palace.
Russia must be ready for World War 3 in next three years - and must not be ‘shy’ about fighting West, warns Putin stooge
Inside the building, a frustrated Mr Zelensky vented his exasperation against continued delays over Ukraine joining Nato, launching an astonishing broadside at the US and Germany for frustrating the process.
Flanked by Sir Keir, he asked of his nation’s membership: “If not now, then when?”
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 summit that the other Nato 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 the possibility of 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.
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“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 again during talks with Mr Zelensky in Kyiv yesterday.
And he did not rule out British engagement, telling Ukraine: “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.”
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.”
However, Sir Keir also warned that history has taught that 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.”
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Sir Keir’s vow came on a day he also visited school children in Kyiv who were talking to British primary pupils via a video link.
The PM also accompanied Mr Zelensky to lay wreaths at the Ukrainian capital’s Wall of Remembrance of the Fallen.
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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.
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