Starmer prepared to send British troops to Ukraine

Sir Keir Starmer has announced he is willing to put British troops "in harm's way" on the ground in Ukraine to face down Vladimir Putin's forces.

- ATHENA STAVROU, ANGUS THOMPSON

In a dramatic escalation of rhetoric ahead of an urgent meeting of European leaders in Paris today, the prime minister confirmed he is prepared to put a peacekeeping force into Ukraine as the US looks to negotiate an end to the war with Russia.

Writing in The Daily Telegraph, Sir Keir said the UK was "ready to play a leading role" in Ukraine's defence and security, including the commitment of £3bn a year until 2030.

But he said that along with military aid to Ukraine "it also means being ready and willing to contribute to security guarantees to Ukraine by putting our own troops on the ground if necessary.

"I do not say that lightly. I feel very deeply the responsibility that comes with potentially putting British servicemen and women in harm's way," Sir Keir said.

"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.

"The end of this war, when it comes, cannot merely become a temporary pause before Putin attacks again."