Starmer says US ‘backstop’ needed for Ukraine peace deal happymamay

Sir Kerr Starmer said that any peace agreement in Ukraine will require “behind the United States” to deter Russia from attacking its neighbor again.

Speaking after a meeting with European leaders in Paris, the prime minister has repeated that he would consider the deployment of UK forces to Ukraine in a permanent peace agreement.

But he said, “Ensuring American security was the only way to determine Russia effectively,” and pledged to discuss the “main elements” of the peace agreement with US President Donald Trump when the couple meet in Washington next week.

Sir Kerr said that Europe “should do more” to defend the continent in the face of the “generations” security challenge.

He was keen to avoid explaining exactly what he means “Backstop” – but his allies indicate that this might involve air support, logistics and intelligence.

European leaders met at Ellisie Palace to discuss concerns about the Trump administration’s decision to start peace talks with Russia – to start in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday – alone.

Ukrainian President Folodimir Zelinski said Kiev does not know about the talks and will not know any agreement that is being made without being involved.

US officials have suggested that European countries will be consulted in peace talks with Russia, but not to participate directly in them.

The Paris Summit also said days after the US Defense Secretary, Beit Higseth, said that Europe would take place She must be mainly responsible for ensuring her security to go forward.

In his statement to the correspondents after the talks, Sir Kiir said that the United States “will not leave NATO”, but it is time to take responsibility for our security, our continent.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said that the talcous relations were in a “new stage”, and that the meeting confirmed that the time has come for “a greater ability to Europe to defend itself.”

Sir Kiir indicated that any contributions from the UK forces will be part of the multinational force of the police on the border between the Ukrainian and Russian lands.

But experts say that doing this effectively will be a huge mission that requires a significant increase in defensive spending.

“It is a completely different issue,” said Malcolm Chalmers, deputy director of the Royal United Services Institute.

“You need reliable and well-armed forces-and not only need the forces of the front lines, but you need reserve forces, air forces, etc.,” he told the BBC. “This is much bigger.”

“This cannot be a symbolic force, it could not be something that observes bad behavior and stands on the margin,” said General Adrian Bradchu, a former NATO leader, said.

He told BBC Radio 4 in a world that he would have to do “effectively what he does, the future conflict will not be contained in Ukraine.

“Basically, the force should be large enough to defeat the incursion,” he added.

The former head of the British army, Lord Danat, had previously estimated that this force would need about 100,000 soldiers – as the United Kingdom contributed about fifty.

He said on Saturday: “We did not have this number,” adding that making the army in its form to perform this role will come at a large cost.

The UK currently spends about 2.3 % of its total economic production. The government adhered to increased defense spending to 2.5 %, but it did not say when this will be achieved.

Sir Kerr told reporters earlier that the government would set a way to meet the commitment by 2.5 % once the strategic defense review is completed.

“Part of my message to our European allies is that we all have to escalate both ability, spending and financing,” he said.

“This includes the United Kingdom, and that is why I adhered to this commitment to spend more.”

Some European figures have indicated their agreement with this.

Danish Prime Minister Metty Friedrixen said that Europe had to “intensify” defensive spending and support for Ukraine, as “Russia threatens all Europe now, unfortunately”, while European Commission President Ursula von der Lin called for an “increase in spending” in defense.

Mr. Kiir also joined Paris by the leaders of France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands, as well as the President of the European Council and the Secretary -General of NATO Mark Retty.

Before the meeting, European leaders also expressed their concern after Higseth said it was unrealistic that Ukraine would return to its borders before 2014-before the inclusion of Crimea in Russia and took parts of the south and east of the country in 2022 invasion.

Hegseth also reduced the possibility of Ukraine to join NATO in the joint defense alliance – which Sir Kiir said was on a “irreversible” path towards it.

General Sir Bradcho pointed out these possible concessions of Russia, and said: “If we cannot return Ukraine to what it was as a sovereign country before this war, we must make it a permanent peace.”

No. 10 confirmed the Sir Kerr trip to Washington earlier on Monday, after that A minister said that the United Kingdom could serve as a “bridge” between the United States and Europe.

BBC understands the offer to host a follow -up meeting for European leaders after Washington’s trip.

Tusk in Poland has already indicated that his nation will not send the forces to Ukraine, but will continue to support it with military, financial and humanitarian aid.

Meanwhile, German Chancellor Olaf Scholls told the correspondents after the Paris meeting that the discussion of sending the forces to Ukraine at the present time was “completely premature” and was “somewhat angry” with this issue.

The sources of the UK government argue that it is “not surprising” that there was a difference in opinion between the leaders, and not every country is ready to show their hands yet.

British diplomats do not believe that every nation will need to be committed to contributing to the forces – but some do that. Whatever the final round of Europe, the United States will remain in need.

“The presence of large numbers of NATO forces on Ukrainian lands after the ceasefire will be a failure in Russia, so it is difficult for me at this stage to see Russia accept such existence as part of the deal.”

The deployment of British forces will also require the approval of Parliament, which is what LIB Dem leader Sir Ed Davi said is confident that “all aspects of the house are likely to agree with it.”

Sir Kiir spokesman said that Parliament would be consulted “as necessary”, but this was “progressing in discussions” with other world leaders.

Meanwhile, fighting on the ground continued in Ukraine during the weekend, with at least three civilians in Russian strikes on Sunday, according to the local authorities.

Several areas of Ukraine are undergoing the emergency after attacks on energy infrastructure, while the Russian Defense Ministry said it had intercepted and destroyed 90 Ukrainian drones on Sunday evening.