British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on Sunday that the United Kingdom is prepared to deploy its troops to Ukraine to contribute to security guarantees in Eastern Europe. In an exclusive article in The Telegraph, Starmer stated that the UK is ready to play a leading role in accelerating work on security guarantees for Ukraine, which includes providing greater support for the Ukrainian army and potentially sending British troops to the ground if necessary. This marks the first time the British premier has explicitly considered sending peace forces to Ukraine, with these statements coming ahead of an informal meeting with European leaders in Paris.
Starmer emphasized that he didn’t say those words lightly, understanding the responsibility that comes with jeopardizing British military personnel. However, he believes that helping to guarantee security in Ukraine is essential to protecting the security of the European continent and the UK. At the Paris Summit, Starmer’s mission will be to convey a clear message to his European colleagues: Europe must take another step to meet its own security demands. He stressed that Europe needs to demonstrate its commitment to taking its own defense seriously and assuming its own responsibility, rather than just talking about it.
The debate sparked by Starmer’s comments has not gained traction in other European countries. Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union, and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares, has distanced himself from the idea of sending troops to guarantee peace in Ukraine. In an interview with Onda Cero, Albares argued that Russian President Vladimir Putin continues to wage a war of aggression, making peace seem far off. He believes that before discussing troop deployment, it’s essential to determine what kind of peace is being referred to and what mandate would be given to a potential peacekeeping force.
Meanwhile, Swedish Minister of Foreign Affairs Maria Malmer Steargard has taken a different stance, saying that “nothing” can be ruled out regarding the possibility of deploying troops in Ukraine after a “just and lasting peace” is achieved with Russia. Steargard emphasized the importance of negotiating a fair peace that respects international law and Ukraine’s sovereignty. She added that once Ukraine achieves a sustainable peace, it will be necessary to ensure that it is maintained, leaving all options on the table. In contrast, Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store has deemed it premature to discuss the possibility of deploying troops, stating that it’s not the time to analyze this option.
The discussions surrounding troop deployment and security guarantees come as European leaders prepare to meet in Paris, with the UK’s proposal likely to be a key topic of discussion. As the situation in Ukraine continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how European countries will respond to the call for increased security guarantees and potential troop deployment. One thing is certain, however: the path to achieving a lasting peace in Ukraine will be complex and require careful consideration from all parties involved. Will Europe be able to come together to address its own security concerns, or will differences in opinion hinder progress? Only time will tell.