US President Donald Trump is set to hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin this week, as concerns grow over the potential for military escalation if British troops are deployed to Ukraine.
The discussions come amid reports that Western nations are considering sending peacekeeping forces to the region, a move Moscow has strongly opposed.
UK Peacekeeping Plans Underway
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has been in discussions with allied leaders as part of efforts to secure a ceasefire and prevent further Russian aggression. Over the weekend, he met with members of the “coalition of the willing” to push forward plans for a potential peacekeeping mission.
Military officials from allied nations are also meeting in London this week to begin drafting operational plans for the deployment of peacekeeping troops. The proposed force aims to deter further Russian advances, but the UK government acknowledges that any deployment could heighten tensions.
UK Health Secretary Wes Streeting warned that such a move could provoke a significant response from Moscow. “I think it would be an extraordinary escalation for Russian troops to find themselves in conflict with British troops,” he told reporters.
Moscow Yet to Agree to Ceasefire
Despite US and Ukrainian calls for a 30-day ceasefire, Russia has yet to agree to the proposal. The Kremlin has also rejected any involvement of Western peacekeepers in Ukraine, insisting that such a move would be viewed as direct interference.
Finnish President Alexander Stubb has expressed scepticism over Russia’s willingness to engage in meaningful peace talks. “His original aim was basically to destroy the independent sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine,” Stubb said. “He hasn’t changed his aim.”
Trump-Putin Talks Expected This Week
Amid these developments, Trump’s administration remains hopeful that direct talks with Putin could lead to progress. His special envoy, Steve Witkoff, recently held discussions with the Russian leader in Moscow and suggested there is potential for constructive negotiations.
“I know what I heard, the body language I witnessed,” Witkoff told CNN. “I saw a constructive effort, over a long period of time, to discuss the specifics of what’s going on in the field.”
However, many Western officials remain cautious about Russia’s intentions. French President Emmanuel Macron has stated that any decision on peacekeeping forces would ultimately be up to Ukraine. “Ukraine is sovereign. If it asks for Allied forces to be on its territory, it’s not up to Russia to accept or not,” he said.
As discussions continue, concerns remain over the risk of further escalation, with any deployment of Western forces likely to be met with strong resistance from Moscow.
