British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has become the first European leader to express willingness to deploy peacekeeping troops in Ukraine, making the pledge ahead of an emergency summit in Paris to discuss Europe’s role in securing a ceasefire.
His remarks reflect a growing recognition among European nations that they may need to take on a greater responsibility for Ukraine’s security, as Washington continues negotiations with Russia independently to end the three-year conflict.
Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson stated on Monday that Sweden would consider contributing to a post-war peacekeeping mission in Ukraine, but stressed that further progress in negotiations would be required before any commitment could be made.
US President Donald Trump surprised Ukraine and European allies last week when he revealed he had spoken to Russian President Vladimir Putin without prior consultation, discussing potential steps towards ending the war.
That initiative is set to move forward this week with talks in Saudi Arabia between US and Russian officials.
Trump’s Ukraine envoy, Keith Kellogg, said on Saturday that Europe would not be included in the negotiations. Washington has instead circulated a questionnaire to European capitals, asking what they could contribute to Ukraine’s security guarantees.
At Monday’s summit in Paris, President Emmanuel Macron was set to host leaders from Germany, Italy, Britain, Poland, Spain, the Netherlands, and Denmark, which will represent the Baltic and Scandinavian nations, alongside European Union officials and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
A French presidency official stated that discussions would focus on "the security guarantees that can be given by the Europeans and the Americans, together or separately," with peacekeeping forces being one aspect of those guarantees.
Starmer, who is expected to visit Washington next week for talks with Trump, said on Sunday that Europe was facing a "once-in-a-generation moment" for the continent’s collective security and must work closely with the United States.
He affirmed that Britain was prepared to take a leading role in securing Ukraine’s future, including deploying "our own troops on the ground if necessary."
"The end of this war, when it comes, cannot merely become a temporary pause before Putin attacks again," he wrote in The Daily Telegraph.
The European meeting in Paris follows numerous similar summits where the 27-nation EU has struggled to present a unified strategy for resolving the Ukraine war. Although Britain is no longer an EU member, it has remained one of Ukraine’s most prominent supporters.
Europe urged to ‘do more, better’
A Ukrainian official told Reuters last week that, so far, only Britain and France had shown any willingness to send troops in the future. However, this position may be evolving.
On Monday, Sweden’s Kristersson acknowledged that there was "absolutely a possibility" of deploying peacekeeping forces.
"There needs to be a very clear mandate for those forces, and I don’t think we can see that until we have made further progress in negotiations," he said while attending a military exercise in Stockholm.
Deploying peacekeepers would raise the risk of direct confrontation with Russia and could strain European military resources, as many nations have depleted their arms supplies supporting Ukraine and are heavily reliant on US military assistance for large-scale operations.
The French presidency official stressed that Europe must "do more, better, and in a coherent manner for our collective security." However, some EU officials noted discontent over the Paris meeting not being held as a full EU summit.
According to the French presidency, the discussions in Paris will help shape future talks in Brussels and within NATO.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has warned that Nigel Farage's economic plans would damage the British economy, calling them unrealistic and comparing them to the failed policies of former PM Liz Truss.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer delivers a statement on Defence spending at Downing Street on February 25, 2025.
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer affirmed that the country will not prioritize either the US or the EU, despite tensions arising from President Trump's trade threats. During his visit to Brussels, Starmer emphasized the importance of balancing both relationships while also strengthening defense an
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and U.S. President Donald Trump discussed UK-U.S. ties, the royal family, trade, and Middle East peace in a call, agreeing to meet soon for further talks.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held separate phone calls on Saturday with Bulgarian President Rumen Radev and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to talk about bilateral ties as well as regional and global topics.
Ethiopia’s Health Ministry confirmed on Saturday the country’s first death linked to mpox, with five more cases still active. No new infections or recoveries were reported in the past 24 hours.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told Indo-Pacific allies Saturday they won’t be left alone against growing military and economic pressure from China—but they must also boost their own defense efforts.
Iran said on Saturday that it has officially received a new nuclear deal proposal from U.S. President Donald Trump, delivered by Oman during a diplomatic visit to Tehran.
A confidential IAEA report reveals Iran conducted secret nuclear activities using undeclared material at several sites, raising serious non-compliance concerns.
On May 28, the inauguration ceremony of Lachin International Airport was held.
A car drove into crowds of Liverpool fans celebrating the club’s Premier League title in the city centre on Monday evening, injuring dozens including 4 children. A 53-year-old man believed to be the driver was arrested at the scene.
EU ministers have greenlit a massive €150 billion defense investment fund—dubbed the Security Action for Europe (SAFE)—as the bloc ramps up its military readiness in response to Russia’s aggression and growing uncertainty over U.S. security guarantees.
Brazil’s economy is expected to have regained momentum in the first quarter of 2025, driven by a surge in household spending and private investment, according to a Reuters poll of economists conducted from May 21–26.
An international academic conference titled "Islamophobia: Exposing Prejudice and Destroying Stigma" has officially opened in the capital of Azerbaijan, bringing together global scholars, experts, and policymakers to address the rise and consequences of anti-Muslim discrimination.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held separate phone calls on Saturday with Bulgarian President Rumen Radev and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to talk about bilateral ties as well as regional and global topics.
Ethiopia’s Health Ministry confirmed on Saturday the country’s first death linked to mpox, with five more cases still active. No new infections or recoveries were reported in the past 24 hours.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told Indo-Pacific allies Saturday they won’t be left alone against growing military and economic pressure from China—but they must also boost their own defense efforts.
A confidential IAEA report reveals Iran conducted secret nuclear activities using undeclared material at several sites, raising serious non-compliance concerns.
The US Supreme Court has ruled that the Trump administration can temporarily end legal protections for more than 500000 migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, exposing them to possible deportation.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan held separate phone calls on Saturday with Bulgarian President Rumen Radev and Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud to talk about bilateral ties as well as regional and global topics.
Ethiopia’s Health Ministry confirmed on Saturday the country’s first death linked to mpox, with five more cases still active. No new infections or recoveries were reported in the past 24 hours.
U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told Indo-Pacific allies Saturday they won’t be left alone against growing military and economic pressure from China—but they must also boost their own defense efforts.
Iran said on Saturday that it has officially received a new nuclear deal proposal from U.S. President Donald Trump, delivered by Oman during a diplomatic visit to Tehran.
A confidential IAEA report reveals Iran conducted secret nuclear activities using undeclared material at several sites, raising serious non-compliance concerns.
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