Nigel Farage has made it clear that he would oppose any move to send British troops to Ukraine as part of a peace deal. The leader of the Reform Party criticized Keir Starmer’s plan to support a ceasefire with ground forces, arguing that the UK lacks the necessary manpower and equipment to sustain such an operation.
Farage expressed skepticism about the so-called ‘coalition of the willing,’ which he described as primarily comprising just France and Britain, labeling the initiative as overly ‘open-ended.’ His remarks come in response to recent developments in international diplomacy.
In the wake of discussions held in Paris, the Prime Minister has endorsed the ‘Paris Declaration,’ a commitment involving the deployment of UK forces. This agreement was reached after meetings in the French capital yesterday, illustrating the UK’s strategic intentions.
The Paris Declaration outlines a collaborative effort between Britain and France to set up military hubs across Ukraine, contingent upon reaching a peace agreement with Russia. This initiative aims to stabilize the region and ensure a lasting ceasefire.
Keir Starmer, alongside French President Emmanuel Macron and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, signed the document following deliberations with Western allies forming the ‘Coalition of the Willing.’ The declaration represents a significant step in international cooperation to address the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Sir Keir signed alongside Emmanuel Macron and Volodymyr Zelensky after discussions between the ‘Coalition of the Willing’ of Western allies.
During PMQs clashes, Kemi Badenoch challenged Sir Keir for details of how many personnel could be deployed to guarantee a mooted peace deal.
But the premier said he could not give any further information, after announcing last night that he had agreed in principle to provide troops.
Nigel Farage dismissed Keir Starmer’s commitment to back a ceasefire with personnel on the ground, warning the UK did not have the ‘manpower nor the equipment’
Keir Starmer today promised that MPs will get a vote before British troops are put on the ground in Ukraine
During PMQs clashes, Kemi Badenoch challenged Sir Keir for details of how many personnel could be deployed to guarantee a mooted peace deal
‘If there is a decision to deploy then I would put that matter to this House,’ Sir Keir said.
‘Yesterday, I stood side by side with our European and American allies and President Zelensky at the Coalition of the Willing meeting in Paris,’ Sir Keir told the Commons.
‘We made real progress on security guarantees, which are vital for securing a just and lasting peace.
‘Along with President Macron and President Zelensky, we agreed a declaration of intent for the deployment of forces in the event of a peace deal. We will set out the details in a statement at the earliest opportunity.
‘I will keep the house updated as the situation develops and, were troops to be deployed under the declaration signed, I would put that matter to the House for a vote.’
But Mr Farage told Times Radio: ‘I would vote against. We neither have the manpower nor the equipment to go into an operation that clearly has no ending timeline.
‘If it was a sort of Korean-style UN where lots of countries were involved and we could rotate in and out, I might consider it then.
‘But frankly, what you saw yesterday was Macron standing there with the British prime minister.
Leaders from the ‘Coalition of the Willing’ group of Ukrainian allies gathered for the discussions in the French capital
‘Giorgia Meloni was outside having a cigarette, not getting involved. The German gave a speech and said nothing.
‘The coalition of the willing is just two countries.’
Governments can deploy troops under royal prerogative powers.
But Tony Blair effectively set a precedent for holding votes before major operations when he was struggling to win support for the Iraq War.
David Cameron was defeated in a vote on airstrikes against Syria in 2013, when Ed Miliband was Labour leader.
The Paris talks were attended by Steve Witkoff, who is Donald Trump’s peace envoy, and Jared Kushner, the US President’s son-in-law.
The ‘Multinational Force for Ukraine’ is set to act as a ‘reassurance force’ should Moscow and Kyiv agree to end their almost four-year-long conflict.
Meanwhile, the US is set to provide security guarantees to the peacekeeping force with Mr Kushner revealing Mr Trump is ready to offer ‘real backstops’.
At a press conference in Paris, Sir Keir said Ukraine and its allies were ‘closer’ to peace ‘than ever’ – but warned ‘the hardest yards are still ahead’.
The PM added that Vladimir Putin was ‘not showing that he’s ready for peace’.
Mrs Badenoch said it was ‘astonishing’ Sir Keir was not making a statement in Parliament on the Ukraine agreement which he signed in France this week.
‘The last few days have seen significant international events – the US operation in Venezuela, threats towards Greenland and an agreement to put British troops on the ground in Ukraine – so it is frankly astonishing that the Prime Minister is not making a full statement to Parliament today,’ she said.
The Conservative leader said the decision not to make a Commons statement showed a ‘fundamental lack of respect’ for MPs and their constituents.
But Sir Keir replied: ‘Let me be very clear about what was agreed yesterday, because military plans were drawn up some months ago and I’ve updated the House in relation to that. Yesterday was a political declaration that sits under those military plans.
‘If there were to be deployment, there would have to be a legal instrument. Deployment would only be after a ceasefire to support Ukraine’s capabilities, to conduct deterrent operations and to construct and protect military hubs.’
To shouts of ‘when’ from Conservative MPs, Sir Keir added: ‘There will be a statement to the House at the earliest opportunity.’
He later continued: ‘If there were a decision to deploy, under the agreement that was signed yesterday, then I would put that matter to this House for a debate beforehand and for a vote on that deployment – that is consistent with recent practice and I’ll adhere to that.’
A Labour spokesperson said: ‘Nigel Farage’s equivocation on support for Ukraine is an insult to those who have fought to defend freedom.
‘When Farage shrugs at support for Ukraine, a country that has been brutally invaded, people are entitled to ask who he is really speaking for, because this is not patriotism, it’s the behaviour of Putin’s puppet.
‘The Prime Minister has demonstrated that the United Kingdom’s commitment to Ukraine is unwavering, showing real leadership by backing our allies, defending European security, and making clear to Russia that Britain will not look the other way.’
