Keir Starmer urged Donald Trump to support a US backstop for a European peacekeeping force in Ukraine to effectively deter Russian aggression. This call came after an emergency summit in Paris focused on increasing defense spending amidst rising tensions with Russia. Although some European leaders, such as Olaf Scholz, resisted discussions on the peacekeeping force, Starmer emphasized that the US's involvement is critical for meaningful security assurances. He expressed readiness to commit British troops if a lasting peace agreement is reached, underscoring the growing urgency for collective European and American security cooperation.
Starmer insisted that the US is not poised to leave NATO, but said the issue of burden-sharing within the alliance had become pressing.
Europe must play its role, and I'm prepared to consider committing British forces on the ground alongside others, if there is a lasting peace agreement.
Starmer pressed ahead with insisting that a European peacekeeping force was only feasible with US support, highlighting the need for a US backstop.
His remarks amount to a call for Trump to recognize he cannot wash America's hands of Ukraine without also damaging European security.
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