MPs likely to have say on UK peacekeeping force for Ukraine — minister

(Alliance News) - MPs are likely to get a vote before any deployment of British troops to ...

Alliance News 18 February, 2025 | 9:00AM
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(Alliance News) - MPs are likely to get a vote before any deployment of British troops to Ukraine, a Cabinet minister has said as talks between the US and Russia begin in Riyadh.

Heidi Alexander, the Transport secretary, told Times Radio on Tuesday morning it would be "normal, if circumstances allow, for Parliament to be consulted" on military action, but added: "I do think we are some way away from this at the moment."

Her comments come a day after Prime Minister Keir Starmer indicated he would be willing to commit UK troops to a potential peacekeeping mission in Ukraine as European leaders gathered for an emergency summit on the future security of the continent.

However, others at the meeting, including German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, resisted discussion of using a European force to monitor any ceasefire.

Speculation about a European peacekeeping force comes as US and Russian officials meet in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday morning for talks on ending the war in Ukraine.

Ukrainian officials have not been invited to the meeting in Riyadh between delegations led by US secretary of state Marco Rubio and Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov, and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has said his country will not accept any deal negotiated without them.

Starmer's suggestion of a European peacekeeping force appeared, however, to be rejected by some of those at Monday's summit.

Scholz described talk of boots on the ground as "premature", adding: "This is highly inappropriate, to put it bluntly, and honestly: we don't even know what the outcome will be."

The suggestion also prompted calls from the Liberal Democrats for a vote in the Commons, although party leader Ed Davey indicated he would support such a deployment.

There is no legal requirement for a vote on military action, which is formally a royal prerogative, but since the invasion of Iraq in 2003 MPs have usually been given a say on significant deployments.

As well as indicating British support for a peacekeeping force, Starmer has also called for a US "backstop" to any peace settlement, insisting it was the only way to deter Russia from attacking the country again.

Speaking after Monday evening's summit, the prime minister said: "At stake is not just the future of Ukraine. It is an existential question for Europe as a whole, and therefore vital for Britain's national interest.

"This is a once-in-a-generation moment for the collective security of our continent. Only a lasting peace in Ukraine that safeguards its sovereignty will deter Putin from further aggression in the future."

Starmer is expected to press his argument for US security guarantees when he flies to Washington for talks with President Donald Trump next week.

By Christopher McKeon and David Lynch, PA Political Staff

Press Association: News

source: PA

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