Germany won't commit to sending troops to Ukraine

Europe split after UK and France pledge boots on ground

- MILLIE COOKE

A split has emerged among European nations over whether to match Sir Keir Starmer's pledge to send UK troops to Ukraine, as allies thrash out a response to US president Donald Trump’s push for a deal with Vladimir Putin.

Divisions became clear as leaders attended an emergency summit in Paris yesterday amid fears Washington will cut its transatlantic defence commitments. The emergency summit was called after Mr Trump announced his plan to sideline Europe by holding Ukraine peace talks directly with Mr Putin.

Sir Keir said he would be willing to contribute to security guarantees by “putting our own troops on the ground if necessary”, echoing similar statements by France’s Emmanuel Macron. But several other EU nations declined to follow suit, with Poland ruling out such a move.

“Poland will support Ukraine as it has done so far: organisationally, in accordance with our financial capabilities, in terms of humanitarian and military aid,” prime minister Donald Tusk told reporters before boarding a plane to Paris.

“We do not plan to send Polish soldiers to the territory of Ukraine. We will ... give logistical and political support to the countries that will possibly want to provide such guarantees in the future, such physical guarantees.”