The United Kingdom is prepared to send troops to Ukraine if necessary to ensure the security of Britain and Europe, said Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Turkish news outlet TRT World reported this information on Monday (February 17). According to the report, Starmer stated that he is ready to deploy British forces to Ukraine if needed for the security of the UK and Europe. Writing in the Daily Telegraph on Sunday, Starmer emphasized that the UK is taking a leading role in supporting Ukraine against Russia’s war, which means—”if necessary, being prepared to deploy our own troops to contribute to Ukraine’s security, and we are willing to do so.”
Starmer further stated, “I do not say this lightly.” He emphasized that he feels “a deep sense of responsibility” regarding the deployment of troops, despite the potential risks to British soldiers. However, he argued that any role in ensuring Ukraine’s security would also help safeguard the security of Europe and the UK.
The Prime Minister confirmed that he would attend a high-level meeting in Paris on Monday to address growing concerns over US efforts to end the war in Ukraine. He also mentioned that he would meet US President Donald Trump “in the coming days” to ensure close cooperation between Europe and the United States. Starmer stressed that the UK has “a unique role” in strengthening this partnership.
He added, “US support has always been crucial, and American security guarantees are essential for establishing lasting peace because only the United States can deter President Vladimir Putin from attacking again.”
It is worth noting that since Russia launched a full-scale military assault on Ukraine in February 2022, thousands of civilians have been killed. Over nearly three years of war, Russian forces have partially occupied four Ukrainian provinces—Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia.