Starmer: Parliament to decide on possible troop deployment
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on Wednesday that any deployment of British troops under the newly signed declaration with France and Ukraine would be subject to parliamentary approval.
The announcement comes a day after Starmer, along with French President Emmanuel Macron and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, signed a declaration of intent that envisages the deployment of forces in the event of a peace deal.
The number of troops, he said, will be decided by the British military command on the basis of plans currently being drawn up.
Starmer also reported that he had spoken with US President Donald Trump on the phone twice over the holidays to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine. He stressed that without coordination with the United States, Britain will not act independently.
The US has backed a broad coalition of Ukraine's allies, including the UK, and has promised security guarantees for Kiev in the event of a renewed Russian attack. Discussions are also taking place on the next steps following the eventual conclusion of a peace deal with Moscow.
(reuters, max)