British PM pushes for boots on the ground, while US stays on sidelines and Russia warns against foreign troops.
The UK and EU must step up and play a central role in securing peace in Ukraine—boots on the ground included. That’s the message British Prime Minister Keir Starmer delivered after meeting with US President Donald Trump in Washington. The US has been quietly pushing peace talks with Russia, leaving the EU and UK on the sidelines. Starmer isn’t having it.
UK and EU Must Lead Ukraine Peace Effort, Says Starmer
The two leaders met at the White House on Thursday, chewing over plans to end the war in Ukraine. Starmer didn’t mince words. “European countries, including the UK, need to be fully involved,” he told Fox News. He didn’t stop there. The UK, he said, would take a leading role—whether that means troops on the ground, air support, or maritime operations alongside the EU.
It’s not the first time the idea of sending peacekeepers has come up. Both the UK and France have floated the idea of deploying troops to Ukraine to back any peace deal with Russia. But Trump isn’t sold. He’s made it clear the US won’t send soldiers to support a European-led mission. He’s betting on Russian President Vladimir Putin to stick to whatever agreement comes out of the talks.
Moscow, meanwhile, isn’t thrilled about the idea of foreign troops in Ukraine. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has called out France and Britain for pushing the idea, accusing them of trying to “fuel the conflict” rather than cool it down. The Russian Foreign Ministry went further, slamming the EU and UK for heading down a “path of militarism.”
Here’s the kicker: Russia has warned that any unauthorized troops in Ukraine would be fair game—no UN mandate, no legitimacy. It’s a messy situation, and Starmer knows it. But he’s not backing down. The UK, he insists, will be at the forefront of any peace effort, whether it’s on the ground or in the air.
The stakes are high. The war in Ukraine has dragged on for years, and the world is watching. Starmer’s push for a bigger role for the UK and EU adds another layer to an already complicated puzzle. Trump’s reluctance to commit US forces leaves Europe holding the bag. And Russia? They’re not making it easy.