Sir Keir Starmer is proposing a plan that includes deploying to 30,000 British and European troops to Ukraine to try to deter future attacks by Vladimir Putin.
The UK Prime Minister, who recently reinforced his support for Volodymyr Zelensky as Ukraine’s democratically elected leader, is set to propose the bold blueprint to Donald Trump in his visit to meet the US president next week.
While details of the plan, led by the UK and France and backed by allies, are yet to be finalised, it’s understood this could include putting troops in major cities and sites away from the front line.
The aim would be to give “reassurance” to Ukraine and its people while avoiding the risk of clashes with Russian forces across the border.
Key to the mission would be the air power superiority of America and European nations to respond to any fresh Putin aggression and the ability “to punish Russia if that was to emerge”.
But a western official said: “The whole idea of this is that the challenge doesn't emerge.”
He added that there was a “massive over match” of Britain, other European nations and America against Russia’s military forces.
“That means that that none of us anticipate a direct attack by Russia,” added the official.
He explained that this strategy would focus on “technical monitoring” to ensure that Russia doesn’t invade again after a peace deal is agreed.
This would draw on the West’s huge intelligence gathering capabilities, including spy planes, drones and satellites.
Other key areas of focus would include Ukraine’s air and maritime spaces, with foreign troops set to be deployed to major seaports and stations.
Warships could also be sent to the Black Sea to help protect Ukrainian waters while monitoring further threats posed by Russia.
Although Sir Keir’s plan suggests a heavy European presence in key parts of Ukraine to help the country open its airspace and sea trade, the proposal also hinges on US cooperation.
The proposal would require the US to have fighter jets stationed in Eastern Europe and ready to respond to Russian aggression, according to a western official.
Sir Keir has already spoken of the need for a security guarantee from the US as a “backstop” that will deter Russia from attacking Ukraine again.
“The purpose of the backstop would be to have the confidence that whatever forces are deployed will not be challenged by Russia,” the source said.
The proposal of up to 30,000 boots on the ground, including potentially UK soldiers, comes as European leaders scramble to respond to Trump’s apparent efforts to broker a peace deal without consulting Ukraine.
In recent days, the emboldened US president has taken aim at Mr Zelensky and falsely accused Ukraine of “starting the war.’”
Putin launched his invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, falsely believing his troops would be welcomed as liberators, with the aim of demilitarising Ukraine and preventing its joining NATO.
As well as fervently criticizing Mr Zelensky and branding him a ‘dictator,’ a statement that has been widely criticised, the US president appears to be sidelining Europeans and Ukrainians in an attempt to secure peace with Russia.
During recent talks in Saudi Arabia, Russian and US officials appeared to signal positive progress in working towards ending the war in Ukraine and strengthening diplomatic ties.
Neither Ukrainian nor European officials were present at the meeting about ending the war.
Sir Keir has flatly rejected Trump’s dictator accusation against Mr Zelensky.
Other European leaders have also condemned the US president’s stance.
