Sir Keir Starmer has said that he is "ready and willing" to put UK troops on the ground in Ukraine to uphold any peacekeeping deal, as the Prime Minister has been warned about looming military cuts.
The Prime Minister has said that securing a lasting peace deal in Ukraine is "essential if we are to deter Putin from further aggression".
Starmer told the Daily Telegraph that he has not made the decision that could put British military personnel in harm's way "lightly".
"But any role in helping to guarantee Ukraine's security is helping to guarantee the security of our continent and the security of this country."
It is understood to be the first time the Prime Minister has explicitly stated he is considering deploying British peacekeepers to the warzone
PA
It is understood to be the first time the Prime Minister has explicitly stated he is considering deploying British peacekeepers to the warzone.
The Prime Minister is also facing pressure to increase defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP or face military cuts, sources have told Sky News.
The GDP spending currently stands at 2.3, and the 0.3 increase would amount to an extra £5billion annually.
"The truth is there needs to be more money now or else prepare for further cuts," said one military insider.
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The war in Ukraine will mark its third anniversary on February 24REUTERSA second defence source said: "We know the Government is in a difficult financial position. But getting to 2.5 per cent sooner rather than later would be enormously beneficial for their relationship with the new US administration, and the UK's leadership role within Nato.”
The Prime Minister has yet to announce a timeline of when the figure will be met, with another source criticising the Government for not being "serious" in their plans.
Starmer’s comments come ahead of today’s Paris Summit hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron, where world leaders will meet to discuss Ukraine's next steps.
It was called by Macron after it emerged that European leaders had been left out of peace talks involving the US and Russia.
Zelensky stating he will not accept any deals that do not involve the participation of Kyiv
ReutersUkraine has also not yet been given a seat at the negotiation table, with Volodymyr Zelensky stating he will not accept any deals that do not involve the participation of Kyiv.
Starmer said that the UK is now "ready to play a leading role" in Ukraine’s defence and security, including the commitment of £3billion a year until 2030.
He said alongside the aid, the UK must be "ready and willing to contribute to security guarantees to Ukraine by putting our own troops on the ground if necessary".
"The end of this war, when it comes, cannot merely become a temporary pause before Putin attacks again," he said.
