'We're at a crossroads in history...it's time to act

Whitehall Editor SIR Keir Starmer told Europe's leaders they have to "step up" to prevent future Russian aggression and ensure conflict does not spread across the continent.

- Jonathan Walker

He said a coalition would join the UK in providing troops and planes to secure a peace deal in Ukraine and stop Russian aggression there, after he chaired a historic London gathering of world leaders, including President Volodymyr Zelensky.

It came after Donald Trump's outburst during Mr Zelensky's White House visit.

Sir Keir issued a stark warning that the West was at a "crossroads in history" as he insisted that action is needed urgently.

He declared that "a number" of countries have agreed to join the UK in a "coalition of the willing" which will contribute ground troops and air power to a peacekeeping force.

Those signing up are thought to include France and Canada and the PM stressed that US military support would be essential for this deterrence to succeed.

Sir Keir insisted his aim was to prevent wars, but appeared to say that the force would fight if necessary. He said: "If you want to preserve the peace, you have to be prepared to defend the peace.

"I want to avoid conflict. I do not want conflict in Ukraine, in Europe and certainly not in the United Kingdom. I want stability in the United Kingdom. The way to ensure that stability is to ensure we are able to defend a deal in Ukraine.

"Because the one thing our history tells us is that if there is conflict in Europe it will wash up on our shores."