No. 10 dismisses reports of Starmer wavering on Ukraine troop deployment
No. 10 has rejected claims that Keir Starmer is reconsidering sending peacekeeping troops to Ukraine.
“Nothing is off the table,” says downing street
A spokesperson for the Prime Minister affirmed that “nothing is off the table” amid speculation that his focus may shift towards air and sea support. This comes after he did not restate his commitment to deploying ground troops on Thursday.
When asked if the Prime Minister was backtracking, the Downing Street spokesperson clarified:
“No, nothing is off the table on any of these fronts, so I wouldn’t start ruling anything out.”
Significant support required for any deployment
The spokesperson highlighted that any deployment—whether at sea, on land, or in the air—would necessitate thousands of troops and extensive logistical support, including:
- Intelligence operations
- Force protection for critical infrastructure such as ports and airfields
- Ground support crews for aircraft
“And then, of course, there are the basic logistics—feeding and moving personnel, ensuring deployment rotations. The Prime Minister has made it clear that we must be prepared for all possible scenarios arising from these negotiations.”
UK’s role in a “coalition of the willing”
Mr Starmer has consistently stated that he is prepared to deploy ground troops if a peace deal is reached. The UK would be part of a “coalition of the willing”, with discussions ongoing among defence chiefs about how such an operation would be structured.
No. 10 emphasised that there is a “spectrum of support”, with some coalition members likely to provide logistical assistance rather than commit Armed Forces personnel on the ground.
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US security guarantee still uncertain
The Prime Minister has reiterated that British troops would only be deployed to enforce a peace agreement if there were a security guarantee from the United States—something that has not yet been assured by Donald Trump.
Speculation over Starmer’s shift in focus
Speaking on Thursday, Mr Starmer said:
“We’re considering a range of scenarios, including sea, air, land, and border security, as well as post-war reconstruction.”
The Financial Times reported that the Prime Minister is shifting focus away from ground troops. However, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband urged caution, telling Sky News:
“I think people are over-interpreting what the Prime Minister said yesterday.”
He stressed that the “coalition of the willing”, a group of nations prepared to provide military support for a peace deal, is still developing its strategy. He advised the public “not to jump to conclusions.”
Starmer on the importance of nuclear deterrence
Mr Starmer also addressed concerns over the UK’s nuclear deterrent and its role in global security. When asked whether Vladimir Putin respects Britain’s nuclear capabilities, he responded:
“Yes. The UK is one of Europe’s leading nations in defence and security because we have our own independent deterrent and are fully committed to NATO.”
UK’s defence strategy in a changing world
The Prime Minister underscored the continued significance of the UK’s nuclear deterrent, stating:
“It has been an incredibly effective deterrent for decades, and we must not take it for granted. The events of recent years and months have been a stark reminder—across the UK and Europe—of just how crucial defence and security truly are.”
