Starmer said he does not take the thought of putting British servicemen and women in harm's way lightly, but securing a lasting peace in Ukraine is necessary.

He suggested that the UK could be a bridge between Europe and the US in the peace process. Starmer's statement puts pressure on European allies, particularly Germany, to publicly support the idea of a European-led peacekeeping force in Ukraine.

On Monday PM Starmer, along with the leaders of Germany Poland, NATO, Italy and other European countries attended an emergency summit on Ukraine in Paris, hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron.