UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced his readiness to send peacekeeping troops to Ukraine. He said he is ready to send British troops as part of a peacekeeping force in Ukraine after the war ends, as he wants to show the United States that European countries should play an important role in resolving the conflict.
Starmer made the announcement on Sunday (February 16). He said the role of British troops may be necessary to ensure lasting peace in Ukraine and to deter Russian President Vladimir Putin from aggression. But he made it clear that he had not made the decision to harm British troops. Rather, it was an urgent step that was important for establishing peace in the future.
Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Ukraine and Europe's involvement is essential to ending the war in Ukraine. He indicated that the US-Russia talks are an opportunity to test Putin's commitment to peace. Keir Starmer said that a lasting peace process is needed, not a temporary truce, after the war ends.
He added that he was prepared to deploy his own troops to ensure Ukraine's security and as part of a peacekeeping force. However, he also noted that he deeply felt the grave responsibility of putting British troops at risk.
French President Emmanuel Macron will join other European leaders in Paris for talks on security in Ukraine. Starmer's presence is under discussion at the talks, which will focus on a future peace process involving European countries. Source: Reuters
