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Starmer 'ready' to put peacekeeping troops in Ukraine as Europe holds emergency talks

Published 3 weeks ago2 minute read

  • Reporting from the Munich Security Conference

    On this final day of the Munich Security Conference confusion and uncertainty still cloud the issue of how President Trump plans to end the Ukraine war.

    European leaders worry that this is a train that’s leaving without them.

    They are due to hold an emergency summit next week, just as US and Russian negotiators begin talks in Saudi Arabia, that apparently will not include Ukraine.

    This year’s Munich conference will be remembered for the week that America told Europe: everything’s changed, you can no longer take it for granted that we will be there to defend you.

    European nations are now under pressure to raise their defence spending to at least three per cent of their national wealth as they brace for the likelihood Russia will use a ceasefire in Ukraine to rebuild its huge army on Nato’s eastern flank.

  • British Prime Minister Keir Starmer (R) and Ukrainian President Volodymyr ZelenskyImage source, Getty Images

    UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, has issued a statement following US plans to hold Ukraine peace talks with Russia - without Europe.

    Starmer says the talks will offer "a once in a generation moment for our national security".

    He adds: "It's clear Europe must take on a greater role in Nato as we work with the United States to secure Ukraine's future and face down the threat we face from Russia."

    His comments come following US President Donald Trump's special envoy to Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, saying European leaders would be consulted but not take part in any talks between US and Russia over ending the war.

    Kellogg told the Munich Security Conference that previous efforts at negotiation had failed because too many parties were involved.


  • Live reporter

    Good morning and welcome to our coverage of the last day of the Munich Security Conference.

    As leaders gather for one last day of panels and conferences on matters of defence, European leaders are waking up to the fact that their relationship with the US has now changed.

    We'll shortly be hearing from UK Business and Trade Secretary Jonathan Reynolds, who will address issues surrounding Ukraine and the UK steel industry on Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg.

    We're also expecting to hear from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio later this morning, who is now in Jerusalem ahead of talks with Russia in Saudi Arabia in the coming days.

    Stay with us as we bring you the latest lines and analyses from our correspondents.

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