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UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer Signals Willingness to Send Peacekeeping Troops to Ukraine
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has for the first time publicly stated that he would be willing to send UK troops to Ukraine as part of a European peacekeeping force, should a deal be reached with Moscow requiring such an arrangement.
His remarks, made in an op-ed for The Daily Telegraph on Sunday, come just ahead of an emergency meeting of European leaders in Paris, where discussions are expected to focus on the shifting geopolitical landscape following recent statements by the Trump administration regarding US involvement in Ukraine.
UK’s Commitment to Ukraine’s Security
In his op-ed, Starmer acknowledged the risks of deploying British troops, saying it would mean “putting them in harm’s way.” However, he described the situation as an “existential” issue for Europe and a “once in a generation moment” that required decisive action.
He reiterated the UK’s long-term commitment to Ukraine, pledging to maintain £3 billion (€3.6bn) in annual military aid until 2030 and positioning Britain as a key leader in European defence and security efforts.
European Response to US Policy Shift
Starmer’s comments come in the wake of a series of statements by senior officials in the new Trump administration, which have raised concerns among European allies about Washington’s long-term commitment to Ukraine.
Last week, US President Donald Trump and Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth suggested that America would scale back its defence commitments in Europe, while US Special Envoy on Ukraine and Russia Keith Kellogg stated that Europe would likely be excluded from upcoming peace talks between Russia and Ukraine.
These remarks have left European leaders scrambling to determine their role in shaping a potential peace deal, as the US and Russian delegations prepare for talks in Saudi Arabia this week.
Growing Support for European Peacekeeping Force
The idea of a European-led peacekeeping mission in Ukraine is not new. It was first suggested by French President Emmanuel Macron in early 2024, when he refused to rule out deploying French troops. Since then, the concept has gained traction, though details remain scarce on what such a force would look like, which nations would participate, and under what conditions troops would be deployed.
The composition and role of the force would largely depend on the terms of a potential peace agreement, the status of the frontline, and the presence of Ukrainian and Russian troops on the ground.
Calls for Increased Defence Spending in Europe
In his op-ed, Starmer echoed growing calls from US and EU officials urging European nations to increase defence spending and take on a greater role within NATO.
Currently, eight of NATO’s 30 European members have yet to meet the alliance’s target of spending 2% of GDP on defence. The UK currently allocates 2.3% of its GDP to defence, with plans to increase this to 2.5%, though Starmer’s Labour government has not yet provided a clear timeline for achieving this goal.
Paris Summit and European Unity
Monday’s emergency meeting in Paris will see Starmer join leaders from Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, the Netherlands, and Denmark, along with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte.
The summit is expected to focus on coordinating Europe’s response to the evolving US stance, the potential formation of a European-led peacekeeping force, and broader discussions on strengthening European defence capabilities in light of shifting global alliances.
News
Investigation Underway After Goa Nightclub Fire Kills at Least 25
Authorities in the Indian state of Goa have opened an investigation into a nightclub fire that killed at least 25 people, including several tourists, in one of the region’s most popular party districts. Six others were injured in the blaze, which broke out shortly after midnight in Arpora, a nightlife hub about 25 kilometres from the state capital, Panaji.
Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant confirmed the death toll in a statement posted on X, saying the victims included many of the club’s kitchen staff and a small number of visiting tourists. He added that all the injured were in stable condition and receiving medical treatment. Rescue teams recovered all bodies from the site.
Early reports from local police, cited by the Press Trust of India, indicated that a gas cylinder explosion triggered the fire. Witnesses, however, told the agency that the blaze appeared to start on the club’s first floor, where nearly 100 tourists were dancing at the time. As smoke and flames swept through the building, many people ran toward the lower floor, where they became trapped along with staff members.
Sawant said a formal inquiry would determine the exact cause and whether the club complied with fire safety regulations. He pledged strict action against anyone found responsible, writing on X that any negligence uncovered by investigators would be “dealt with firmly”.
Eyewitnesses described scenes of panic as patrons attempted to flee the burning building. “We rushed out of the club only to see that the entire structure was up in flames,” said Fatima Shaikh, who was inside when the fire began.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi offered condolences in a message on X, calling the incident “deeply saddening” and wishing the injured a swift recovery.
Local media reported that the club’s location along the Arpora River backwaters posed challenges for emergency crews. A narrow approach road forced fire engines to park about 400 metres from the entrance, slowing their response. Reports also revealed that the building had previously received a demolition notice after officials found it lacked a construction permit. That order was later withdrawn by senior state authorities, according to Arpora councillor Roshan Redkar.
Incidents involving gas cylinders and electrical faults are not unusual in India and often lead to heavy casualties, prompting renewed calls for stronger enforcement of safety standards. Opposition leader Rahul Gandhi criticised the tragedy as a “criminal failure of safety and governance” and urged a transparent investigation to establish accountability and prevent future disasters.
The probe into the fire is expected to assess structural safety, emergency exits and compliance with existing regulations as authorities work to piece together how the late-night gathering turned into one of the deadliest incidents in the state in recent years.
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Russia Launches Massive Overnight Barrage on Ukraine as Peace Talks With U.S. Continue
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