The UK is “able to put boots on the bottom and planes within the air” in Ukraine, PM Keir Starmer has claimed
President Donald Trump has mentioned that British troops “can deal with themselves” when requested whether or not the US navy would help them if the UK deploys forces to Ukraine as a part of a possible peace settlement with Russia.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer met with Trump on the White Home on Thursday, the place they mentioned a plan to achieve what he known as a “peace that’s powerful and truthful.”
“I’m working intently with different European leaders on this, and I’m clear that the UK is able to put boots on the bottom and planes within the air to help a deal, working along with our allies, as a result of that’s the solely means that peace will final,” Starmer informed reporters after the assembly.
Trump, nonetheless, sidestepped a query about whether or not the US would supply backup if such a deployment led to clashes with Russian forces, telling journalists earlier than the assembly that the British “don’t want a lot assist.”
“They will deal with themselves very properly… It sounds prefer it’s evasive, nevertheless it’s not evasive. You recognize, the British have been unimaginable troopers, unimaginable navy, they usually can deal with themselves,” Trump mentioned. “In the event that they need assistance, I’ll all the time be with the British, OK? I’ll all the time be with them – however they don’t need assistance.”
Trump: “The British have been unimaginable troopers, unimaginable navy, they usually can deal with themselves. But when they need assistance, I am going to all the time be with the British.” pic.twitter.com/8emiiJDnu0
— The Publish Millennial (@TPostMillennial) February 27, 2025
Starmer then praised the US-UK relationship because the world’s “biggest alliance for prosperity and safety,” including, “Every time needed, we’ve completely backed one another up…”
“May you tackle Russia by yourselves?” Trump interrupted, turning to Starmer with a smile.
“Nicely…,” the British PM responded to a burst of laughter from the viewers earlier than Trump moved on to different questions.
The assembly got here simply days after French President Emmanuel Macron reportedly additionally didn’t safe concrete US safety ensures for Ukraine throughout his talks with Trump in Washington.
Trump had beforehand mentioned that he had mentioned “some type of peacekeeping” together with his Russian counterpart, and claimed that Vladimir Putin had “no downside” with the thought. Nonetheless, Russian Overseas Minister Sergey Lavrov acknowledged that Moscow had not been consulted on the matter.
Lavrov mentioned the thought of deploying international troops to Ukraine is being pushed by “the Europeans, primarily France and in addition the British,” suggesting that that is meant to “additional warmth up the battle and cease any makes an attempt to calm it down.”
Moscow has repeatedly opposed the deployment of unauthorized peacekeepers in Ukraine, warning that and not using a UN mandate they’d be thought of reputable targets. Lavrov insisted that any discussions a few peacekeeping drive in Ukraine are “empty” and that the precedence ought to be resolving the battle’s underlying points – together with efforts to convey Kiev into NATO and the potential deployment of Western navy infrastructure close to Russia’s borders.
