A “significant number” of countries are prepared to send peacekeeping troops to Ukraine if a peace deal with Russia is reached, a spokesperson for British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Monday. More than 30 countries are expected to participate in the so-called “coalition of the willing” to support Ukraine, according to Starmer’s spokesperson.
Britain and France have led efforts to draft a peacekeeping plan after U.S. President Donald Trump launched talks aimed at securing an agreement between Ukraine and Russia.
“The contribution capabilities will vary, but this will be a significant force, with a significant number of countries providing troops,” the spokesperson told reporters.
Russia has repeatedly opposed the deployment of NATO-affiliated troops in Ukraine. When asked whether peacekeeping forces would be authorized to return fire if attacked, the spokesperson said military planning meetings were underway to work through operational details.
Starmer held a virtual meeting Saturday with European and other world leaders to rally support for the coalition ahead of a military planning summit in Britain on Thursday, where officials will discuss how a ceasefire could be enforced.
Responding to Russia’s claims that it would not accept European peacekeepers in Ukraine, Starmer’s spokesperson pointedly noted: “It is worth remembering that Russia didn’t ask Ukraine when it deployed North Korean troops to the frontline last year.”
