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British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced the UK's readiness to deploy peacekeeping troops to Ukraine, marking a pivotal shift in Europe's approach to the ongoing conflict. His statement comes ahead of an emergency summit in Paris, where European leaders will discuss their role in securing Ukraine's future amid negotiations that exclude Europe.
"We are facing a once-in-a-generation moment for Europe's collective security," Starmer wrote in The Daily Telegraph. "The end of this war must not be a temporary pause before Putin attacks again." His remarks highlighted the EU's efforts o Ukraine's sovereignity.
European nations are scrambling to reassess their strategic position. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed concern over being sidelined, stating that Kyiv was unaware.
Sweden has expressed willingness to participate in a peacekeeping force but insists that negotiations must progress further before any concrete decisions are made. "There needs to be a very clear mandate for those forces, and I don't think we can see that until we have come further in those negotiations," said Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson during a military exercise in Stockholm.
France has urged European nations to take a more unified and proactive stance. A French presidential official stated, "Europe needs to do more, better, and in a coherent manner for our collective security." However, some EU officials have criticized the Paris summit for not being a full EU meeting, potentially limiting its impact.
The urgency behind these talks came up after a surprise diplomatic move by US President Donald Trump, who held direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin last week without consulting European allies or Ukraine. Trump's special envoy to Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, later confirmed that Europe would not have a seat at the table for any potential peace agreement.
Deploying peacekeeping forces presents logistical and financial challenges. Former British Army Chief Lord Dannatt cautioned that such a move would come at a "considerable cost," requiring increased military funding. Currently, the UK allocates 2.3% of its GDP to defense, with a commitment to raise it to 2.5%, though no timeline has been provided.
Fighting in Ukraine remains intense, with Russian strikes over the weekend claiming at least three civilian lives. Ukraine's energy infrastructure has been severely impacted, leading to emergency blackouts in multiple regions. The Russian defense ministry reported intercepting 90 Ukrainian drones in a single night, underscoring the continued volatility of the conflict.
"We are facing a once-in-a-generation moment for Europe's collective security," Starmer wrote in The Daily Telegraph. "The end of this war must not be a temporary pause before Putin attacks again." His remarks highlighted the EU's efforts o Ukraine's sovereignity.
European nations are scrambling to reassess their strategic position. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed concern over being sidelined, stating that Kyiv was unaware.
Sweden has expressed willingness to participate in a peacekeeping force but insists that negotiations must progress further before any concrete decisions are made. "There needs to be a very clear mandate for those forces, and I don't think we can see that until we have come further in those negotiations," said Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson during a military exercise in Stockholm.
France has urged European nations to take a more unified and proactive stance. A French presidential official stated, "Europe needs to do more, better, and in a coherent manner for our collective security." However, some EU officials have criticized the Paris summit for not being a full EU meeting, potentially limiting its impact.
The urgency behind these talks came up after a surprise diplomatic move by US President Donald Trump, who held direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin last week without consulting European allies or Ukraine. Trump's special envoy to Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, later confirmed that Europe would not have a seat at the table for any potential peace agreement.
Deploying peacekeeping forces presents logistical and financial challenges. Former British Army Chief Lord Dannatt cautioned that such a move would come at a "considerable cost," requiring increased military funding. Currently, the UK allocates 2.3% of its GDP to defense, with a commitment to raise it to 2.5%, though no timeline has been provided.
Fighting in Ukraine remains intense, with Russian strikes over the weekend claiming at least three civilian lives. Ukraine's energy infrastructure has been severely impacted, leading to emergency blackouts in multiple regions. The Russian defense ministry reported intercepting 90 Ukrainian drones in a single night, underscoring the continued volatility of the conflict.
