Starmer: Ukraine Peace Deal Needs ‘US Backstop’ to Deter Russia
London – UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has stated that any future Ukraine peace deal must include a "US backstop" to prevent further Russian aggression.
Speaking after an urgent meeting with European leaders in Paris, Starmer reiterated that he would consider deploying UK troops to Ukraine as part of a lasting peace agreement.
"A US security guarantee is the only way to effectively deter Russia," Starmer emphasized, adding that he would discuss the "key elements" of a potential peace deal with US President Donald Trump during their meeting in Washington next week.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, a key NATO ally, expressed reservations about the discussion, calling the idea of sending troops to Ukraine "completely premature" and admitting he was "a little irritated" by the topic.
Starmer Urges Stronger European Defense, Calls for ‘US Backstop’ in Ukraine Peace Deal
Paris – UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has called on Europe to take greater responsibility for its own defense, warning that Russia poses a "generational" security challenge to the continent.
Speaking after a high-level summit with European leaders at the Élysée Palace, Starmer avoided defining what he meant by a "US backstop" for Ukraine but hinted that it could involve air support, logistics, and intelligence sharing.
The meeting was convened amid concerns over the Trump administration’s decision to launch peace talks with Russia—set to begin in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday—without European involvement. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized the talks, saying Kyiv had not been informed and would not recognize any agreement made without its participation.
While US officials have indicated that European nations would be consulted, they will not play a direct role in negotiations.
The Paris summit also came days after US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that Europe must take primary responsibility for its own security. Addressing these concerns, Starmer reassured allies that the US remains committed to NATO but stressed, "It is time to take responsibility for our security, our continent."
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk echoed the sentiment, calling the meeting a turning point in transatlantic relations and emphasizing that Europe must now develop a "much greater ability to defend itself."
Starmer Suggests UK Troops for Ukraine Border Force, Experts Warn of Massive Military Commitment
London – UK Prime MinisterSir Keir Starmerr has suggested that any British troop deployment to Ukraine would be part of a multinational force tasked with policing the border between Ukrainian-held and Russian-held territory.
However, defense experts have cautioned that such an operation would require a significant expansion of military resources and spending.
Malcolm Chalmers, deputy director of the Royal United Services Institute, noted that while UN peacekeeping forces primarily observe, a force meant to deter Russian aggression would be a "whole different matter altogether."
"You need credible, well-armed forces—not just frontline troops, but back-up forces, air support, and more," . "That's a much bigger ask."
General Sir Adrian Bradshaw, a former NATO commander, echoed the concern, stressing that the force "cannot be a token presence." Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s World at One, he said it must be capable of fulfilling NATO-style deterrence and be backed by a broader containment strategy to ensure any future conflict does not remain confined to Ukraine.
Lord Dannatt, former head of the British Army, previously estimated that such a force would require around 100,000 troops, with the UK expected to contribute roughly two-fifths. "We just haven't got that number available," he warned, adding that preparing the military for such a role would come at a "considerable cost."
Paris – UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has reiterated his commitment to increasing defence spending, telling European allies that all nations must "step up" their military capabilities in response to the growing security threat posed by Russia.
The UK currently spends around 2.3% of its GDP on defence, with a commitment to raising it to 2.5%. However, the government has yet to outline a timeline for achieving this target, pending the results of its strategic defence review.
"Part of my message to our European allies is that we've all got to step up on both capability and on spending and funding," Sir Keir Starmer said. "That includes the UK, which is why I've made that commitment to spend more."
His call was echoed by Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, who warned that "Russia is threatening all of Europe now, unfortunately," and by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who urged a "surge" in defence spending.
Starmer attended the Paris summit alongside leaders from France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the Netherlands, as well as European Council President Charles Michel and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
The meeting also followed remarks from US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who suggested it was "unrealistic" for Ukraine to regain all of its pre-2014 territory, including Crimea, and downplayed Ukraine's prospects of joining NATO in the near future. Starmer, however, has maintained that Ukraine remains on an "irreversible" path towards NATO membership.
General Sir Adrian Bradshaw, former NATO commander, warned against premature concessions to Russia, stating: "If we can't return Ukraine to what it was as a sovereign nation before this war, we have absolutely got to make it a lasting peace."
Meanwhile, No. 10 confirmed Starmer's upcoming trip to Washington, where he is expected to discuss European defence strategy and Ukraine with US President Donald Trump, amid suggestions that the UK could act as a "bridge" between the US and Europe in ongoing negotiations.
