UK and allies pledge security guarantees for Ukraine amid peace talks with Russia
The UK is preparing to send troops to Ukraine as part of a 'reassurance force' if a peace deal is reached with Russia. This follows Donald Trump's direct talks with Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky. Sir Keir Starmer co-chaired a meeting of over 30 international leaders to plan security guarantees for Ukraine. The US has ruled out deploying troops or allowing Ukraine to join NATO but may offer mutual defense provisions similar to NATO's Article Five. Ukraine's president hailed the security guarantees as a 'major step forward', with plans to formalize them within 10 days. The UK and France have pledged forces to deter Russian aggression if a peace deal is achieved. Switzerland has offered to host peace talks, granting Putin immunity from arrest if he attends. Trump emphasized Ukraine must give up hopes of regaining Crimea and joining NATO, calling it a 'buffer' between Russia and Europe.