British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has issued a strong warning that any peace deal with Russia regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine must be backed by solid security measures, or risk being violated by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Speaking after a high-level meeting of senior military leaders in London on Thursday night, March 20, 2025, Starmer emphasized that only a peace agreement with firm guarantees could ensure lasting stability in the region.
“It is vitally important we do that work because we know one thing for certain, which is a deal without anything behind it is something that Putin will breach,” Starmer stated.
“We know that because it happened before. I am absolutely clear in my mind it will happen again.”
The meeting, which took place at the Permanent Joint Headquarters in Northwood, brought together representatives from over 20 countries to discuss proposals on troop support and security arrangements for Ukraine.
The discussions are part of broader efforts to secure the country’s sovereignty and prevent a repeat of previous violations by Russia.
Starmer reiterated the UK’s commitment to Ukraine’s defense and stressed the importance of international cooperation in ensuring that any future peace framework is not only signed but effectively safeguarded.
The war between Russia and Ukraine, which began in 2022, has seen repeated calls for diplomatic resolution, but fears remain over the credibility of Russia’s commitments without enforceable measures in place.