“Lasting Peace, Not Ceasefire”: Starmer Pushes for U.S. Support in Ukraine Peacekeeping Mission

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called on the United States on Wednesday to provide a security “backstop” for any future European peacekeeping mission in Ukraine, arguing that only such a measure could guarantee Kyiv a lasting peace rather than a temporary ceasefire according to Reuters on February 27.

Speaking ahead of a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump, Starmer reiterated that Britain would “play our part” in a potential peacekeeping effort but stressed that any deployment would require American support.

Since Trump shifted Washington’s stance on Ukraine, Britain and its European allies have sought to reinforce their diplomatic efforts in support of Kyiv. However, differences remain over troop deployments. France has signaled a willingness to send forces, while Poland and others have ruled it out.

Russia dismissed the prospect of European peacekeepers on Wednesday, with the Kremlin stating it would not consider “any options” involving such a deployment.

For Starmer, securing a U.S. commitment to a security “backstop” is central to any future peace deal, though details of what that would entail remain unclear.

“I’m absolutely convinced that we need a lasting peace, not a ceasefire, and for that to happen we need security guarantees,” he told reporters en route to Washington. “Precisely what that layers up to, what that looks like, is obviously a subject of intense discussion.”

Starmer argued that without such assurances, Russian leader Vladimir Putin could use a ceasefire to regroup and prepare for further aggression.

“My concern is if there is a ceasefire without a backstop, it will simply give him (Putin) the opportunity to wait and to come again because his ambition in relation to Ukraine is pretty obvious, I think, for all to see,” he said.

Earlier, French Finance Minister Eric Lombard said the United States is expected to back European peacekeeping forces in Ukraine once a ceasefire is in place.