Keir Starmer’s rallying cry for Europe to ‘step up’ and deploy peacekeeping troops to Ukraine was last night rejected by Germany at a dramatic summit in Paris. European leaders are in chaos over President Trump’s peace plan for Ukraine, amid fears he will withdraw his military support for the continent and abandon the Baltic states to Putin.

Starmer has called for the US to provide a 'backstop' for any deal in Ukraine, and European leaders appear to be panicking over the prospect of confronting Putin without American militry might. Chancellor Olaf Scholz left the crisis summit in Paris between European leaders early last night and a 'little irritated' labelling the premier's calls as 'highly inappropriate'. Sir Keir had tried to show a unified front in support of Kyiv ahead of US and Russia's bilateral talks in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, today. The PM told a press conference following the three-hour talks at Elysee Palace that Europe 'had to do more' to protect the continent and reiterated his vow to send British soldiers to Ukraine.

Starmer has called for the US to provide a ‘backstop’ for any deal in Ukraine, and European leaders appear to be panicking over the prospect of confronting Putin without American militry might. Chancellor Olaf Scholz left the crisis summit in Paris between European leaders early last night and a ‘little irritated’ labelling the premier’s calls as ‘highly inappropriate’. Sir Keir had tried to show a unified front in support of Kyiv ahead of US and Russia’s bilateral talks in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, today. The PM told a press conference following the three-hour talks at Elysee Palace that Europe ‘had to do more’ to protect the continent and reiterated his vow to send British soldiers to Ukraine.

Yet fractures appear to have already formed in any unified force patrolling the Ukraine-Russia border with Poland, Spain, and Italy joining Germany in raising doubts about the PM's suggestion. Mr Scholz said calls for peacekeeping troops was 'premature,' adding: 'I am even a little irritated by these debates, I want to say that quite frankly. The discussion is being held over Ukraine's head, over the outcome of peace talks that have not taken place and to which Ukraine has not said yes ... This is highly inappropriate, to put it bluntly, and honestly: we don't even know what the outcome will be.' Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also questioned the peacekeeping plan, according to sources in her office. 'It was useful to discuss today the various hypotheses on the table. The one that foresees the deployment of European soldiers in Ukraine seems to me to be the most complex and perhaps the least effective, and on this too I voiced Italy's doubts,' sources quoted her as saying.

Yet fractures appear to have already formed in any unified force patrolling the Ukraine-Russia border with Poland, Spain, and Italy joining Germany in raising doubts about the PM’s suggestion. Mr Scholz said calls for peacekeeping troops was ‘premature,’ adding: ‘I am even a little irritated by these debates, I want to say that quite frankly. The discussion is being held over Ukraine’s head, over the outcome of peace talks that have not taken place and to which Ukraine has not said yes … This is highly inappropriate, to put it bluntly, and honestly: we don’t even know what the outcome will be.’ Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni also questioned the peacekeeping plan, according to sources in her office. ‘It was useful to discuss today the various hypotheses on the table. The one that foresees the deployment of European soldiers in Ukraine seems to me to be the most complex and perhaps the least effective, and on this too I voiced Italy’s doubts,’ sources quoted her as saying.

Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk already ruled out sending troops to Ukraine ahead of the summit. 'Poland will support Ukraine as it has done so far: organisationally, in accordance with our financial capabilities, in terms of humanitarian and military aid,' Tusk told reporters before boarding a plane to Paris. 'We do not plan to send Polish soldiers to the territory of Ukraine. We will... give logistical and political support to the countries that will possibly want to provide such guarantees in the future, such physical guarantees.'

Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk already ruled out sending troops to Ukraine ahead of the summit. ‘Poland will support Ukraine as it has done so far: organisationally, in accordance with our financial capabilities, in terms of humanitarian and military aid,’ Tusk told reporters before boarding a plane to Paris. ‘We do not plan to send Polish soldiers to the territory of Ukraine. We will… give logistical and political support to the countries that will possibly want to provide such guarantees in the future, such physical guarantees.’

Britain, France, and Sweden have spoken out in favour of deploying troops. The numbers involved for a multinational force to police the border are yet to be made public, but the former head of the British Army, Lord Dannatt, previously estimated it would need around 100,000 troops. Sir Keir insisted any peace deal would need to come with the guarantee of a US 'backstop' as it 'was the only way to effectively deter Russia' from launching another attack.

Britain, France, and Sweden have spoken out in favour of deploying troops. The numbers involved for a multinational force to police the border are yet to be made public, but the former head of the British Army, Lord Dannatt, previously estimated it would need around 100,000 troops. Sir Keir insisted any peace deal would need to come with the guarantee of a US ‘backstop’ as it ‘was the only way to effectively deter Russia’ from launching another attack.

He will travel to Washington next week to meet with US President Donald Trump and has vowed to discuss 'key elements' of the deal. Boosting hopes that a peace deal can be reached, Mr Trump¿s envoy to Ukraine did not rule out US troops joining a peacekeeping mission alongside European soldiers. Meanwhile, Mr Trump¿s defence secretary Pete Hegseth continued his tour of Europe as he considers the US¿s international military presence.

He will travel to Washington next week to meet with US President Donald Trump and has vowed to discuss ‘key elements’ of the deal. Boosting hopes that a peace deal can be reached, Mr Trump’s envoy to Ukraine did not rule out US troops joining a peacekeeping mission alongside European soldiers. Meanwhile, Mr Trump’s defence secretary Pete Hegseth continued his tour of Europe as he considers the US’s international military presence.

Visiting Poland at the weekend, where he tested a new Dronebuster weapon on a tour of a military base, he warned America¿s military support for the Continent may not last ¿forever¿. But in a blow to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Mr Hegseth has said it was 'unrealistic' to think that Ukraine could regain its pre-2014 borders - meaning Russia will retain some of the territory it has taken. European officials believe Mr Trump is likely to withdraw troops from the Baltics, leaving the continent vulnerable to Russia, reported the FT. This would make Europe vulnerable to a potential Russian invasion.

Visiting Poland at the weekend, where he tested a new Dronebuster weapon on a tour of a military base, he warned America’s military support for the Continent may not last ‘forever’. But in a blow to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Mr Hegseth has said it was ‘unrealistic’ to think that Ukraine could regain its pre-2014 borders – meaning Russia will retain some of the territory it has taken. European officials believe Mr Trump is likely to withdraw troops from the Baltics, leaving the continent vulnerable to Russia, reported the FT. This would make Europe vulnerable to a potential Russian invasion.

Aside from the military risk, Mr Trump's reported deal would place Ukraine at the mercy of the American president, who has long held sympathies for Putin. Sir Keir had earlier tried to persuade divided leaders to follow his lead by committing troops to any peacekeeping force in Ukraine.

Aside from the military risk, Mr Trump’s reported deal would place Ukraine at the mercy of the American president, who has long held sympathies for Putin. Sir Keir had earlier tried to persuade divided leaders to follow his lead by committing troops to any peacekeeping force in Ukraine.

He flew to the talks having vowed he was 'ready and willing' to deploy British soldiers to police any ceasefire deal. But while he was backed by French president Emmanuel Macron, who called the summit, other countries such as Germany and Poland resisted committing their militaries. Following the talks, Mr Scholz appeared to have been angered by Sir Keir's commitment as he insisted talk of sending soldiers to Ukraine was 'completely premature' and 'highly inappropriate' while the war is ongoing. After leaving the Elysee Palace, he added: 'I am even a little irritated by these debates, I want to say that quite frankly. 'The discussion is being held over Ukraine's head, over the outcome of peace talks that have not taken place and to which Ukraine has not said yes... This is highly inappropriate, to put it quite frankly and honestly.'

He flew to the talks having vowed he was ‘ready and willing’ to deploy British soldiers to police any ceasefire deal. But while he was backed by French president Emmanuel Macron, who called the summit, other countries such as Germany and Poland resisted committing their militaries. Following the talks, Mr Scholz appeared to have been angered by Sir Keir’s commitment as he insisted talk of sending soldiers to Ukraine was ‘completely premature’ and ‘highly inappropriate’ while the war is ongoing. After leaving the Elysee Palace, he added: ‘I am even a little irritated by these debates, I want to say that quite frankly. ‘The discussion is being held over Ukraine’s head, over the outcome of peace talks that have not taken place and to which Ukraine has not said yes… This is highly inappropriate, to put it quite frankly and honestly.’

Other countries, such as Italy and Spain, indicated they were undecided about joining a peacekeeping force while Poland ruled itself out. However, in a hastily arranged press conference, Sir Keir said: 'At stake is not just the future of Ukraine, it is an existential question for Europe as a whole, and therefore vital for Britain's national interest. This is a once in a generation moment for the collective security of our Continent. 'Only a lasting peace in Ukraine that safeguards its sovereignty will deter Putin from further aggression in the future. 'On defence, it's clear the US is not going to leave Nato, but we Europeans will have to do more ... On Ukraine, we're at the very early stage of the process. Europe must play its role. And I'm prepared to consider committing British forces on the ground alongside others if there is a lasting peace agreement. 'But there must be a US backstop because a US security guarantee is the only way to effectively deter Russia from attacking Ukraine again.'

Other countries, such as Italy and Spain, indicated they were undecided about joining a peacekeeping force while Poland ruled itself out. However, in a hastily arranged press conference, Sir Keir said: ‘At stake is not just the future of Ukraine, it is an existential question for Europe as a whole, and therefore vital for Britain’s national interest. This is a once in a generation moment for the collective security of our Continent. ‘Only a lasting peace in Ukraine that safeguards its sovereignty will deter Putin from further aggression in the future. ‘On defence, it’s clear the US is not going to leave Nato, but we Europeans will have to do more … On Ukraine, we’re at the very early stage of the process. Europe must play its role. And I’m prepared to consider committing British forces on the ground alongside others if there is a lasting peace agreement. ‘But there must be a US backstop because a US security guarantee is the only way to effectively deter Russia from attacking Ukraine again.’

Gen. Kellogg, Mr Trump's Ukraine envoy, said: 'The policy has always been that you take no options off the table.' US Secretary of State Marco Rubio yesterday arrived in Saudi Arabia , where talks with Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov are getting under way. But Ukraine yesterday warned it will refuse to recognise any peace deal struck between the US and Russia, throwing talks into chaos. Mr Zelensky said the negotiations will 'yield no result' because Kyiv has not been offered a seat at the table. Ukraine has not been invited to the talks and will not accept the outcome if it is not involved, Mr Zelensky said earlier on Monday, amid fears that Kyiv will remain excluded from discussions. Mr Zelensky arrived in Turkey yesterday for talks with President Recep Erdogan. He will travel to to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, but he has said his trip to the Arab nation was unrelated to the planned US-Russia talks.

Gen. Kellogg, Mr Trump’s Ukraine envoy, said: ‘The policy has always been that you take no options off the table.’ US Secretary of State Marco Rubio yesterday arrived in Saudi Arabia , where talks with Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov are getting under way. But Ukraine yesterday warned it will refuse to recognise any peace deal struck between the US and Russia, throwing talks into chaos. Mr Zelensky said the negotiations will ‘yield no result’ because Kyiv has not been offered a seat at the table. Ukraine has not been invited to the talks and will not accept the outcome if it is not involved, Mr Zelensky said earlier on Monday, amid fears that Kyiv will remain excluded from discussions. Mr Zelensky arrived in Turkey yesterday for talks with President Recep Erdogan. He will travel to to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday, but he has said his trip to the Arab nation was unrelated to the planned US-Russia talks.

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