Sir Keir Starmer has stated that any peace agreement in Ukraine would require a “US backstop” to prevent Russia from launching another assault on its neighbour.
Speaking after an urgent meeting with European leaders in Paris, he emphasized that “a US security guarantee was the only way to effectively deter Russia” and pledged to discuss the “key elements” of a peace settlement with US President Donald Trump in Washington next week.
Tribune online reports that the UK prime minister reiterated that he would be open to deploying British troops to Ukraine if a lasting peace deal were established. However, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, a crucial NATO partner, dismissed such discussions as “completely premature.”
Sir Keir stressed that Europe must “do more” to safeguard the continent against the “generational” security threat posed by Russia. While he did not clarify what he meant by a “backstop,” his associates indicated this could include air support, logistical assistance, and intelligence-sharing.
The discussions at the Élysée Palace were convened to address concerns about the Trump administration’s decision to initiate peace negotiations with Russia—set to begin in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday—without European participation.
Sir Keir was joined by the leaders of France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the Netherlands, along with the president of the European Council and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has also stated that Kyiv was not informed about the talks in Saudi Arabia and would not recognize any agreement made without its direct involvement.
On the other hand, US officials have suggested that European nations would be consulted regarding the negotiations with Russia but would not play a direct role.
French President Emmanuel Macron posted on X in the early hours of Tuesday, revealing that he had “just spoken” with Trump and Zelensky. “We will work on this together with all Europeans, Americans, and Ukrainians. This is the key,” he stated, adding that he “will continue these discussions in the coming days.”
Before the meeting, European leaders had also voiced concern after US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that it was “unrealistic” to expect Ukraine to reclaim all its territory from before 2014, when Russia annexed Crimea.
Hegseth also downplayed Ukraine’s prospects of joining NATO—despite Sir Keir’s assertion that the country was on an “irreversible” path toward membership.
Additionally, he remarked that Europe would need to assume primary responsibility for its own security in the future.
Sir Keir maintained that the US was “not going to leave NATO” but emphasized that it was “time to take responsibility for our security, our continent.”
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk described transatlantic relations as entering a “new stage” and remarked that the meeting confirmed the necessity of “a much greater ability for Europe to defend itself.”
(BBC)
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