Sir Keir Starmer has expressed his readiness to deploy “our own soldiers on the ground if required” in Ukraine should a resolution to the conflict with Russia be reached.
Prior to an “emergency summit” of European leaders on Monday, the prime minister stated he was “prepared and keen” to include British forces in a peacekeeping contingent in Ukraine.
In an article for The Daily Telegraph, the prime minister further noted that the UK was “prepared to assume a prominent role” in safeguarding Ukraine, by pledging £3bn annually until 2030.
This development comes as Emmanuel Macron gathers leaders including Sir Keir and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz at a hastily convened summit in Paris to deliberate on Ukraine’s prospective measures.
The French president aims to reclaim Ukraine’s trajectory at this informal assembly, which was quickly organized following announcements from the United States.
Simultaneously, the US is sending high-ranking officials to Saudi Arabia for peace negotiations with Russia, from which European representatives have not been invited. It remains uncertain if Ukraine will participate.
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European leaders to hold meeting
A Ukrainian delegation is currently in Saudi Arabia to facilitate a potential visit from Volodymyr Zelenskyy, according to one Ukrainian official on Sunday.
Nevertheless, just a day earlier, a senior adviser to Zelenskyy had refuted the notion that Ukraine would partake in the discussions.
“There is nothing on the table worthy of negotiation,” Mykhailo Podolyak asserted during a television interview.
Trump addressed reporters on the tarmac as he arrived in Florida for the Daytona 500. Pic: Reuters
While in Florida on Sunday, Donald Trump commented on Mr. Putin: “I believe he is eager to cease the conflict.”
“They [Russia] operate a significant and potent military apparatus, as you are aware. They triumphed over Hitler and Napoleon. They have been engaged in battle for quite some time.”
The meeting convened by Mr. Macron is anticipated to include British Prime Minister Sir Keir, Chancellor Scholz from Germany, Danish PM Mette Frederiksen, and Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk, along with various other European leaders.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and NATO Chief Mark Rutte are also expected to participate in the Paris gathering.
The objective of these talks is to “convene all partners invested in peace and security in Europe,” as stated by a French communiqué.
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In parallel, representatives of the Trump administration are en route to Saudi Arabia for peace discussions with Russia. According to Russian newspaper Kommersant, these negotiations are set to commence in Riyadh on Tuesday.
Mr. Trump’s push for a swift resolution to Russia’s conflict with Ukraine has raised apprehensions and uncertainties among European leaders.
Following a recent conversation with Mr. Putin, Mr. Trump has repeatedly stated that he and the Russian leader are set to meet soon for discussions regarding a peace agreement over Ukraine.
He has assured Mr. Zelenskyy that he will have a place at the negotiation table, though it remains unclear whether European representatives will be welcomed.
The Ukrainian president has previously asserted he will not engage in any dialogues that exclude his nation.
