Category Archives: Ukraine

Starmer Says The UK Will Send Troops To Ukraine If There’s A Peace Deal. So What Happens Now?

Posted on by
Reply

Keir Starmer has promised to send British troops into Ukraine in the event of a peace deal with Russia – but what does that really mean?

The prime minister proudly revealed on Tuesday that he and the French president Emmanuel Macron had signed a written agreement with Ukraine to deploy their own soldiers to the war-torn country, in a bid to help protect it if a peace agreement is reached.

The pledge appeared to encourage the US to finally offer its own military efforts to help “deter” any future aggression against Ukraine and defend against any other attacks.

While these are all promising words, what does this mean in practice?

What did Starmer and Macron say?

The two world leaders signed a “declaration of intent” at a Coalition of the Willing meeting on Tuesday, promising to send troops in the event of a peace deal.

Starmer said it “paves the way for legal framework under which British, French and partner forces could operate on Ukrainian soil”.

He said: “Following a ceasefire, the UK and France will establish military hubs across Ukraine and build protected facilities for weapons of military equipment to support Ukraine’s defensive needs.”

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed it as a “huge step forward”.

The wider Coalition of the Willing – a group of more than 30 nations dedicated to supporting Ukraine in the face of Russia’s aggression – also committed to a “multinational force for Ukraine” from willing nations.

This would support deterrence and rebuilding Ukraine’s armed forces during a ceasefire.

Could a deployment happen any time soon?

That all depends on the progress of a peace deal – and if US security promises hold.

Putin is yet to respond to the these developments, and he could easily dismiss any peace deal which involves European troops moving into Ukraine.

That would slow down the grinding progress the US team has been make with its 20-point plan to end the conflict.

But it seems pretty unlikely any deal is going to get over the line any time soon.

Putin has been dragging his feet over any kind of compromise for months and sticking to his maximalist goals in Ukraine.

He rejected Western proposals for a “reassurance force” in Ukraine back in September, warning any troops deployed to Ukraine would be “legitimate targets”.

Will there be a Commons vote on potential deployment?

Starmer opened prime minister’s questions on Wednesday by reassuring MPs the matter would put to the Commons before any troops are deployed to Ukraine.

MPs could, of course, vote against such a move, considering the UK’s economy is already struggling and its military is pretty depleted.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has already made it clear he would vote against such a motion.

He told Times Radio: “I would vote against. We neither have the manpower nor the equipment to go into an operation which clearly has no end in timeline.”

No.10 was also unable to tell reporters what would happen if MPs failed to vote in favour of deploying troops.

Neither the prime minister’s press secretary nor his official spokesperson said if the government would be bound by a similar vote by MPs.

This happened before, such as when David Cameron lost a vote on military action in Syria in August 2013.

Starmer’s spokesperson said: “I think the point is, until we’ve secured the cessation of hostilities, our planning teams are focused on ensuring the coalition of the willing is able to flex to the requirements of any peace deal and ensure Ukraine’s armed forces are able to regenerate, to defend Ukraine, and support European security for generations to come.

“So it is a staged process.”

What else do we know about this plan?

The government has revealed very few details and is yet to give a statement to the Commons on the process.

Starmer’s press secretary insisted ministers will speak to the House at the “earliest opportunity” and updated MPs on Starmer’s part in the peacekeeping talks in Paris.

But it remains unclear how many troops would be provided, if the UK would match the same number as France, if other European states might get involved and what those soldiers would actually do when on the ground.

Share Button

Putin’s New Year Speech Offers Subtle Snub To Trump’s Peace Efforts

Posted on by
Reply

Vladimir Putin’s New Year speech offered a subtle snub to Donald Trump’s claims that Russia wants peace in Ukraine.

The Russian leader repeatedly praised the war – which Moscow refers to as the “special military operation” – during a three-minute celebratory address while avoiding any direct references to Ukraine.

Praising Russian soldiers, he said: “We seek to bring joy and warmth to those in need of care and attention – and, of course, to support our heroes, the participants of the special military operation, with both words and deeds.

“You have taken on the responsibility of fighting for your homeland, for truth and justice.

“I assure you, millions of people across Russia are with you on this New Year’s night.”

The president spoke of Russia’s allegedly impending “success”, alluding to his maximalist goals in Ukraine.

He said: “All that we envision – our hopes and plans – will certainly come true. Of course, each of us has our own – personal, special, and unique in their own way.

“But they are inseparable from the fate of our Motherland and from the sincere desire to serve it. After all, we are the people of Russia, together.

“The work, success, and achievements of each of us compose new chapters in its thousand-year history.”

He did not mention any kind of peace or settlement with Ukraine.

The Kremlin has made clear in recent years that it sees Ukraine as Russian territory, or part of the “Motherland”.

While boasting of his country’s success, Putin notably did not mention how Russia’s armed forces surpassed a million casualties in June 2025, nor how he has been forced to introduce year-round conscription to bolster his depleted army.

His pro-war remarks come as US president Trump continues to push for peace in Ukraine, even if it means rewarding Russia for its aggression.

During his latest meeting with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy about US peace proposals, Trump told reporters: “Russia wants to see Ukraine succeed.”

Trump also allegedly Ukraine and Russia are “closer than ever” to peace, though “thorny” issues remain.

The current US administration has repeatedly ignored how the war itself began when Putin invaded Ukraine in a land grab back in February 2022.

Almost four years on, Russia controls approximately a fifth of Ukraine’s sovereign land – and Putin is still trying to seize more, and refusing to compromise on peace plans.

Russia has also rejected any suggestions of a ceasefire, and Putin has continued to bombard Ukraine even amid frenzied international diplomatic efforts to end the war he started.

Share Button

Zelenskyy Shares Hopeful Message Ahead Of Trump Meeting To End War With Russia

Posted on by
Reply

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy shared an optimistic message on social media ahead of his Sunday meeting with President Donald Trump, in which the pair will work to make progress on a peace plan before the new year after weeks of intense discussions.

In a lengthy X post, Zelenskyy said that the chance for peace between Ukraine and Russia hinges on his country’s allies and “those who put pressure on Russia.”

“These are some of the most active diplomatic days of the year right now, and a lot can be decided before the New Year,” he wrote. “We are doing everything toward this, but whether decisions will be made depends on our partners – those who help Ukraine, and those who put pressure on Russia so that Russians feel the consequences of their own aggression.”

Zelenskyy went on to note that this week alone, Russia “launched over 2,100 attack drones, around 800 guided aerial bombs, and 94 missiles of various types” that were “directed against our people, against life itself” and “above all, against our energy infrastructure.”

On Saturday, Russia ramped up its attacks on Ukraine days ahead of Zelenskyy and Trump’s meeting at Mar-a-Lago, unleashing multiple strikes on Ukraine, which left at least one person dead and several others injured.

Zelenskyy said that “repair crews, energy workers, and first responders” are “working literally 24/7 to protect lives and restore power supply,” but noted that “it is just as important that sanctions against Russia work, that all forms of political pressure for its aggression are applied, that Ukraine receives air defense missiles, and that we all finalise the formats of steps that will end this war and guarantee security.”

Wrapping up his message, the Ukrainian president added, “These are exactly the steps we will be discussing with our partners today. Thank you to everyone who is helping.”

In November, Trump approved a 28-point peace plan to end the Russia-Ukraine war. The plan, which calls on Ukraine to cede territory and has been viewed as significantly more favorable to Russia, initially sparked pushback from Kyiv and Europe leaders.

On Sunday, Trump said in a Truth Social post that he “just had a good and very productive telephone call with President Putin of Russia prior to” his meeting with Zelenskyy.

Meanwhile, just days before, Trump threw cold water on Zelenskyy’s optimism about the meeting, telling Politico in a story published on Friday, that the Ukrainian president “doesn’t have anything until I approve it.”

The right-wing leader added, “So we’ll see what he’s got.”

Share Button

Moscow Threatens British Soldiers In Ukraine While Nato Chief Warns: ‘We Are Russia’s Next Target’

Posted on by
Reply

Russia has warned that any foreign troops in Ukraine are “legitimate targets” following the death of a British soldier.

The UK’s Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced on Wednesday that Lance Corporal George Hooley had died in a “tragic accident” this week.

He was observing Ukrainian forces testing a new defensive capability away from the frontline.

His death marks the first time a British soldier has been killed within Ukraine since the war began in February 2022.

The government praised him for being an “exceptional soldier who will be very deeply missed”.

The UK has revealed little information about what its military personnel are doing in Ukraine, partly to avoid giving Russia material for its propaganda.

But after Hooley’s tragic death was confirmed, Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Moscow would regard any foreign military contingents in Ukraine as “legitimate targets”.

She also demanded the UK reveal what its troops are doing in Ukraine, saying: “Let the UK government not lie to its subjects.

“Don’t lie about those who are being sent there from the United Kingdom. Those who are sent there, they conduct direct instructions of the UK government in Ukraine.”

Offering no evidence to back up her claims, she said: “They commit acts of sabotage, terrorist acts, extremist tasks as well.”

It’s no secret that Britain, along with other European allies, has been helping Ukraine since Russia invaded, although officials have not declared how many UK troops are in the country.

Zakharova’s new threats come as Nato chief Mark Rutte issued a warning about the real dangers Russia poses to Europe.

Speaking at a security conference event in Berlin, he said Europe should make efforts to prevent a war which could be “on the scale of war our grandparents and our great-grandparents endured”.

He said: “We are Russia’s next target. I feel that too many are quietly complacent. Too many don’t feel the urgency, and too many believe that time is on our side. It is not.

“The time for action is now.”

Rutte claimed Russia could be ready to use military force against Nato in the next five years.

His remarks come after a flurry of diplomatic efforts in recent weeks to secure a new peace deal to end the Ukraine war, led by Donald Trump’s US administration.

Rutte also insisted in his speech that the US and Europe can get on the same page as Ukraine amid growing fears that Washington is going to lean towards a peace plan which rewards Russia for its aggression just to end the war sooner.

<div class="js-react-hydrator" data-component-name="Twitter" data-component-id="3877" data-component-props="{"itemType":"rich","index":24,"contentIndexByType":1,"contentListType":"embed","code":"

NATO chief Mark Rutte has warned its member states are \"Russia’s next target\".

Speaking at a security conference event in Berlin, Rutte says the bloc must make all efforts to prevent a war that could be \"on the scale of war our grandparents and great-grandparents endured\". pic.twitter.com/7eEsWcpu65

— Sky News (@SkyNews) December 11, 2025

","type":"rich","meta":{"author":"Sky News","author_url":"https://twitter.com/SkyNews","cache_age":86400,"description":"NATO chief Mark Rutte has warned its member states are \"Russia’s next target\".⁠⁠Speaking at a security conference event in Berlin, Rutte says the bloc must make all efforts to prevent a war that could be \"on the scale of war our grandparents and great-grandparents endured\".⁠ pic.twitter.com/7eEsWcpu65— Sky News (@SkyNews) December 11, 2025\n\n\n","options":{"_hide_media":{"label":"Hide photos, videos, and cards","value":false},"_maxwidth":{"label":"Adjust width","placeholder":"220-550, in px","value":""},"_theme":{"value":"","values":{"dark":"Use dark theme"}}},"provider_name":"Twitter","thumbnail_height":1920,"thumbnail_url":"https://pbs.twimg.com/media/G75c0NpXUAMnUeg.jpg:large","thumbnail_width":1080,"title":"Sky News on Twitter / X","type":"rich","url":"https://twitter.com/SkyNews/status/1999137369405165828","version":"1.0"},"flags":[],"enhancements":{},"fullBleed":false,"options":{"theme":"news","device":"desktop","editionInfo":{"id":"uk","name":"U.K.","link":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk","locale":"en_GB"},"originalEdition":"uk","isMapi":false,"isAmp":false,"isMobile":false,"isAdsFree":false,"isVideoEntry":false,"isEntry":true,"isMt":false,"entryId":"693adf06e4b0cfabad284baf","entryPermalink":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/russia-threatens-uk-soldiers-in-ukraine-as-legitimate-targets_uk_693adf06e4b0cfabad284baf","entryTagsList":"us-news,russia,ukraine","sectionSlug":"politics","deptSlug":null,"sectionRedirectUrl":null,"subcategories":"","isWide":false,"isShopping":false,"headerOverride":null,"noVideoAds":false,"disableFloat":false,"isNative":false,"commercialVideo":{"provider":"custom","site_and_category":"uk.politics","package":null},"isHighline":false,"vidibleConfigValues":{"cid":"60afc140cf94592c45d7390c","disabledWithMapiEntries":false,"overrides":{"all":"60b8e525cdd90620331baaf4"},"whitelisted":["56c5f12ee4b03a39c93c9439","56c6056ee4b01f2b7e1b5f35","59bfee7f9e451049f87f550b","5acccbaac269d609ef44c529","570278d2e4b070ff77b98217","57027b4be4b070ff77b98d5c","56fe95c4e4b0041c4242016b","570279cfe4b06d08e3629954","5ba9e8821c2e65639162ccf1","5bcd9904821576674bc55ced","5d076ca127f25f504327c72e","5b35266b158f855373e28256","5ebac2e8abddfb04f877dff2","60b8e525cdd90620331baaf4","60b64354b171b7444beaff4d","60d0d8e09340d7032ad0fb1a","60d0d90f9340d7032ad0fbeb","60d0d9949340d7032ad0fed3","60d0d9f99340d7032ad10113","60d0daa69340d7032ad104cf","60d0de02b627221e9d819408"],"playlists":{"default":"57bc306888d2ff1a7f6b5579","news":"56c6dbcee4b04edee8beb49c","politics":"56c6dbcee4b04edee8beb49c","entertainment":"56c6e7f2e4b0983aa64c60fc","tech":"56c6f70ae4b043c5bdcaebf9","parents":"56cc65c2e4b0239099455b42","lifestyle":"56cc66a9e4b01f81ef94e98c"},"playerUpdates":{"56c6056ee4b01f2b7e1b5f35":"60b8e525cdd90620331baaf4","56c5f12ee4b03a39c93c9439":"60d0d8e09340d7032ad0fb1a","59bfee7f9e451049f87f550b":"60d0d90f9340d7032ad0fbeb","5acccbaac269d609ef44c529":"60d0d9949340d7032ad0fed3","5bcd9904821576674bc55ced":"60d0d9f99340d7032ad10113","5d076ca127f25f504327c72e":"60d0daa69340d7032ad104cf","5ebac2e8abddfb04f877dff2":"60d0de02b627221e9d819408"}},"connatixConfigValues":{"defaultPlayer":"16b0ecc6-802c-4120-845f-e90629812c4d","clickToPlayPlayer":"823ac03a-0f7e-4bcb-8521-a5b091ae948d","videoPagePlayer":"05041ada-93f7-4e86-9208-e03a5b19311b","defaultPlaylist":"2e062669-71b4-41df-b17a-df6b1616bc8f"},"topConnatixThumnbailSrc":"data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAQAAAC1HAwCAAAAC0lEQVR42mNkYAAAAAYAAjCB0C8AAAAASUVORK5CYII=","customAmpComponents":[],"ampAssetsUrl":"https://amp.assets.huffpost.com","videoTraits":null,"positionInUnitCounts":{"buzz_head":{"count":0},"buzz_body":{"count":0},"buzz_bottom":{"count":0}},"positionInSubUnitCounts":{"article_body":{"count":12},"blog_summary":{"count":0},"before_you_go_content":{"count":0}},"connatixCountsHelper":{"count":0},"buzzfeedTracking":{"context_page_id":"693adf06e4b0cfabad284baf","context_page_type":"buzz","destination":"huffpost","mode":"desktop","page_edition":"en-uk"},"tags":[{"name":"us news","slug":"us-news","links":{"relativeLink":"news/us-news","permalink":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/us-news","mobileWebLink":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/us-news"},"relegenceSubjectId":981465,"url":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/us-news/"},{"name":"Russia","slug":"russia","links":{"relativeLink":"news/russia","permalink":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/russia","mobileWebLink":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/russia"},"relegenceId":3691301,"section":{"title":"Politics","slug":"politics"},"topic":{"title":"Ukraine","slug":"ukraine","overridesSectionLabel":false},"url":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/ukraine/"},{"name":"Ukraine","slug":"ukraine","links":{"relativeLink":"news/ukraine","permalink":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/ukraine","mobileWebLink":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/ukraine"},"relegenceId":3696312,"section":{"title":"Politics","slug":"politics"},"topic":{"title":"Ukraine","slug":"ukraine","overridesSectionLabel":false},"url":"https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/news/ukraine/"}],"isLiveblogLive":null,"isLiveblog":false,"backfillRelatedArticles":[],"signInUrl":"https://login.huffpost.com/login?dest=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.huffpost.com%2Fentry%2Frussia-threatens-uk-soldiers-in-ukraine-as-legitimate-targets_uk_693adf06e4b0cfabad284baf%3Fhp_auth_done%3D1","cetUnit":"buzz_body","enableIncontentPlayer":false,"bodyAds":["

\r\n\r\n HPGam.cmd.push(function(){\r\n\t\treturn HPGam.render(\"inline-1\", \"entry_paragraph_1\", false, false);\r\n });\r\n\r\n","

\r\n\r\n HPGam.cmd.push(function(){\r\n\t\treturn HPGam.render(\"inline\", \"entry_paragraph_2\", false, false);\r\n });\r\n\r\n","

\r\n\r\n HPGam.cmd.push(function(){\r\n\t\treturn HPGam.render(\"inline-2\", \"entry_paragraph_3\", false, false);\r\n });\r\n\r\n","

\r\n\r\n HPGam.cmd.push(function(){\r\n\t\treturn HPGam.render(\"inline-infinite\", \"repeating_dynamic_display\", false, false);\r\n });\r\n\r\n"],"adCount":0,"midArticleAdPartner":null},"isCollectionEmbed":false}”>

NATO chief Mark Rutte has warned its member states are “Russia’s next target”.

Speaking at a security conference event in Berlin, Rutte says the bloc must make all efforts to prevent a war that could be “on the scale of war our grandparents and great-grandparents endured”. pic.twitter.com/7eEsWcpu65

— Sky News (@SkyNews) December 11, 2025

Vladimir Putin’s top diplomat Sergei Lavrov also hinted at how well Russia was getting on with the US now in comments today.

According to Reuters, he said: “In our negotiations with the Americans on the Ukraine issue, I personally believe that the misunderstandings and miscommunications have been resolved,

“We have conveyed to our American colleagues additional proposals concerning collective security guarantees.

“We understand that when discussing security guarantees, we cannot limit ourselves to Ukraine alone.”

Share Button