Starmer Urges British Troops Be Included in Any Ukraine Peace Deal as Allies Prepare Reassurance Force

Sir Keir Starmer has called for Britain to be permitted to send troops to Ukraine as part of any peace settlement, urging fellow leaders to formalise commitments to a multinational security deployment he described as a "vital" guarantee for Kyiv.

Speaking at a virtual meeting of a self-styled "coalition of the willing", the prime minister said UK military planners had been preparing a force for months and would continue to work on its readiness. "Our military planners have worked really hard in recent months and will continue to work on the readiness of that force," he said, and urged partners to "firm up national commitments" so the coalition could present "the most robust capability and the most robust plans on the table."

Senator Marco Rubio dialled into the meeting, according to participants, as American and Ukrainian officials said a near-final 19-point framework drafted in Geneva could pave the way toward ending nearly four years of fighting with Russia. Reports also said President Volodymyr Zelensky was planning an impromptu trip to Mar-a-Lago to meet former US President Donald Trump.

Officials caution the Geneva draft still includes placeholders for the most sensitive issues — territorial concessions and future security arrangements, including NATO-related decisions — which would be filled in later. The 19-point text is understood to be an amended version of an earlier 28-point proposal that was widely reported to favour Russian demands; that earlier draft reportedly included more far-reaching territorial and military conditions that Kyiv rejected.

Moscow warned it may not accept a revised agreement. Russia's foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, said the original 28-point text had been welcomed by Moscow and indicated changes could be rejected in further talks. Analysts note Vladimir Putin appears reluctant to compromise on core demands, including territorial claims and limits on foreign forces near Russia's border.

France's president, Emmanuel Macron, backed the concept of an international armed presence as a deterrent. "The absolute condition for a good peace is a set of very robust security guarantees, and not paper guarantees," he said, adding that any deployed troops would provide training and security rather than operate on the front line. Macron said the UK, France and Turkey were working on plans for a "reassurance force" that could be deployed to strategic locations such as Kyiv or Odesa once a ceasefire takes effect.

Under proposals discussed by allies, fighter jets could be based in neighbouring Poland to help the Ukrainian air force police its skies and ensure any truce is respected. More than 20 countries have been reported to support elements of the post-conflict security architecture being developed.

Andriy Yermak, the Ukrainian chief of staff, told reporters Ukraine was satisfied with the security guarantees taking shape: "I think it now looks very solid," he said. Rustem Umerov, Ukraine's national security adviser, said Kyiv and its partners would seek a suitable date to finalise outstanding steps.

Diplomatic contacts continue. A US defence official met in Abu Dhabi with Ukrainian and Russian interlocutors, including Kyrylo Budanov, Ukraine's military intelligence chief, according to sources. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said a "few delicate, but not insurmountable, details" remained to be resolved between the US, Ukraine and Russia.

Meanwhile, the conflict on the ground persists. Russian forces launched a barrage of drones and missiles on Kyiv that authorities say killed at least six people and injured 13 others. A spokesman for Sir Keir said planning for a possible peacekeeping deployment continues despite Moscow's objections.