British PM: No troop deployment to Ukraine without American backing

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has made it clear that the United Kingdom will not send troops to Ukraine after the resolution of the current conflict unless such a mission is backed by the United States, particularly in the form of air cover.

Speaking in an interview with Bloomberg on June 14, Starmer responded to questions about the UK's role in the European-led "coalition of the willing" — a group of countries prepared to contribute to a potential peacekeeping mission in Ukraine.

“I have always said that US protection is necessary,” the prime minister stated when asked whether British troops could be deployed in Ukraine without American air support.

While ruling out unilateral action, Starmer expressed confidence in the strength of the UK-US alliance. “There is no reason to believe that the US and the UK cannot act together, as they have done throughout their long history,” he said.

Though he declined to elaborate on the content of recent transatlantic talks, the British leader underscored the exceptional nature of London and Washington’s security partnership.

“I am not going to disclose the details of our private conversations, but there are no two other countries that work as closely together on defence, security and intelligence sharing as the US and the UK. This aspect of our relationship is as strong today as it has always been,” Starmer emphasised.

The "coalition of the willing" referenced by Starmer is a European-led initiative involving 30 nations, with France and the United Kingdom playing key coordinating roles. The group is preparing for a possible multinational peacekeeping deployment in Ukraine once the conflict subsides and international conditions allow. However, many member states, including the UK, have indicated that such a mission would require firm US support and coordination, particularly in terms of military logistics and air defence.

By Tamilla Hasanova