Russia warns Starmer over Ukraine peacekeepers plan

Russia has hit out at Sir Keir Starmer’s plan for British troops to form part of a peacekeeping force in Ukraine, saying it would amount to direct involvement in the war.

- ALASTAIR JAMIESON

The prime minister, along with Emmanuel Macron, has been seeking to build a coalition of the willing” to enforce any potential deal.

But Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said troops on its border would amount to the “direct, official and unveiled involvement of Nato members in the war against Russia”, adding: “It can’t be allowed.”

Britain has signed a deal with an Anglo-American security firm to provide Ukraine with more advanced attack drones, in contrast to Donald Trump’s White House which has paused supplies of US military aid and intelligence sharing.

“The fighting is going on and it’s a big mistake to think that, well all we’ve got to do is wait for a deal now,” the prime minister said. “We’ve got to make sure that if they are fighting on they’re in the strongest position and even if they go into negotiation that they’re in the strongest position.”