Paris: UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has emphasized that a US security guarantee is the only viable way to deter future Russian aggression against Ukraine and secure lasting peace.
Speaking in Paris after an emergency summit with European leaders, he described the situation as a defining moment for Europe's security, stressing that it is crucial for Britain's national interests.
"This is an existential issue for Europe, and Britain must play a leading role," Starmer stated. He warned against holding onto outdated security assumptions, saying that the current geopolitical landscape requires bold and decisive action.
The summit, convened by French President Emmanuel Macron, brought together leaders from France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, the Netherlands, Denmark, and the European Union, alongside NATO’s new Secretary General Mark Rutte. The meeting followed a surprising move by former US President Donald Trump, who arranged direct talks with Russia in Saudi Arabia—excluding Ukraine and European leaders from the discussions.
Despite this diplomatic shock, Starmer insisted that Europe must step up its role in ensuring security. He indicated his willingness to consider deploying British troops as part of an international peacekeeping force if a lasting agreement is reached. "I'm going to Washington next week to meet President Trump and discuss what we believe are the key conditions for sustainable peace," he confirmed.
Reassuring European allies, Starmer said that the US would not abandon NATO, but acknowledged that European nations must increase their defense contributions. "The issue of burden sharing is not new, but it has become urgent. Europe must enhance its spending and military capabilities," he urged.
The prime minister also confirmed ongoing discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and future consultations with European allies after his US visit. He reaffirmed Britain's commitment to defending democracy, saying, "The UK has always taken a leadership role in global security, and we will continue to do so."
Trump’s decision to initiate direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin without consulting Europe or Ukraine has left European leaders scrambling to respond. With uncertainty over the level of US support in the future, Europe faces increasing pressure to bolster its own security framework.
However, the summit did not yield a consensus on the potential deployment of European peacekeeping troops in Ukraine. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz dismissed the idea as "premature," cautioning against making decisions without Ukraine's direct involvement. Similarly, Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen acknowledged that discussions were ongoing but stressed that deploying troops remained a distant possibility.
