Russia Criticizes UK Plans for Troops in Ukraine Peacekeeping

Russian officials have condemned Sir Keir Starmer's proposal for British troops to join a peacekeeping force in Ukraine, calling it a direct NATO involvement in the conflict. Starmer's discussions aim to rally a 'coalition of the willing' to support Ukraine, with backing from European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron. Meanwhile, Donald Trump criticized both Starmer and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, suggesting that Zelensky's remarks about the distance to a peace deal reflect poorly on Ukraine's position and the need for U.S. support. Trump described the European leaders' requests for U.S. security guarantees as a sign of weakness and indicated that U.S. military aid could be reconsidered. Starmer maintained that strong U.S. backing is essential for the peace effort, while also proposing that British troops could be available to support a peacekeeping mission. Tensions continue to rise as the diplomatic landscape shifts amid these discussions.