UK Armed Forces minister Luke Pollard has stressed that any peace deal to end the Ukraine conflict must prevent Russia from "re-arming" or threatening Nato's eastern flank.
The minister highlighted Britain's crucial role as "a bridge" between the United States and Europe in developing a lasting peace plan.
His comments come as Prime Minister Keir Starmer has been working to unite European leaders behind a coordinated approach to ending the war.
Starmer recently announced a four-point plan after hosting a summit with 18 leaders, mostly European, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The plan commits to continued military aid to Ukraine while increasing economic pressure on Russia.
Luke Pollard has stressed that any peace deal to end the Ukraine conflict must prevent Russia from "re-arming"
GB NEWS
Pollard told GB News: “It's really important that we stand with our allies. The US is our most important security partner.
“I see it every day as a defence minister, the cooperation that we have, the deep integration of our defence and intelligence systems with our friends in the US, so it's absolutely right that on that we continue to enjoy that and celebrate that relationship with the US.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
“But it's also right that at these difficult times that the UK acts as that bridge between the USA and our friends in Europe to bring together the plan for a lasting and durable peace in Ukraine, because all of us, President Trump, the UK Prime Minister, President Zelensky, want to see a peace that lasts, that can a deal that can be stuck to so the so the Ukrainian people can know that they will never be invaded by Russia again.”
Asked if the UK would have to choose between the US and Europe, Pollard said: “No, I think it's a critical role the UK has historically played and is one the Prime Minister feels very passionately about now that choosing between the US and Europe is not the right thing.
“We have a transatlantic relationship and a European relationship, and it's right that the United Kingdom uses those relationships to work with all our friends and partners, all our Nato allies, especially here, where we're trying to bring people together.
“Now, I think there is a commonality between the US and Europe at this moment. We all want the war to stop, what we now are seeking to discuss behind closed doors, so not to offer a running commentary on it, is what is the shape of that peace deal and how can it be supported?
“Because the thing that is really worrying for the Ukrainians is, if there is a peace deal that doesn't last, it gives Russia the time to reconstitute, to re-arm their forces and then to re-invade. Now, that's not in anyone's best interest, let alone the Ukrainian people.
“That's why this deal that we're working on with our French allies, our European friends and with the United States, needs to be one that delivers a lasting peace, but keeps Ukraine in the fight today.
“With all the talk of peace, which is welcome, we mustn't forget about the war, and that's why at the weekend we also announced £1.6 billion missile deal that will create 200 jobs in Belfast and provide Ukraine with thousands of air defence missiles able to shoot down the Russian cruise missiles that are attacking their power supply and civilian infrastructure.
“It's absolutely vital we keep Ukraine in the fight.”
Keir Starmer is looking to broker a peace deal
GETTY
Starmer announced the formation of a "coalition of the willing" to defend any peace deal.
He also committed an additional £1.6 billion to purchase more than 5,000 air defence missiles for Ukraine.
"Europe must do the heavy lifting," Starmer said, while emphasising the need for US backing.
Ukrainian President Zelensky has affirmed that peace efforts will include both European and US involvement.
