Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has pledged that Members of Parliament will be given a vote on any potential deployment of British troops to Ukraine. The commitment was made during Prime Minister's Questions in the House of Commons on Wednesday, 7 January 2026.
Legal Framework for a "Multinational Force"
The announcement follows a significant meeting in Paris on Tuesday between Sir Keir and French President Emmanuel Macron. The leaders, part of a "coalition of the willing," signed a joint declaration that creates a legal framework for deploying a multinational force to Ukraine.
The agreement stipulates that troops would only be sent after a ceasefire is agreed with Russia, with the mission focused on supporting Ukraine's defensive capabilities and guaranteeing its long-term security. The force would aim to deter further Russian aggression.
The prime minister told MPs that military plans for such a deployment "were drawn up some months ago." He emphasised that any decision to send soldiers would be put to the House. "I will keep the House updated as the situation develops," Starmer said. "And were troops to be deployed under the declaration signed, I would put that matter to the House for a vote."
Opposition Accusations and Defence
The agreement has already sparked political controversy in Westminster. Tory leader Kemi Badenoch criticised Sir Keir for not announcing the pivotal security pact in a formal statement to Parliament first.
She accused the Prime Minister of "not wanting" MPs to question him and suggested he was "scared." Badenoch stated it was "frankly astonishing" that such a significant international commitment was not presented to the Commons immediately, calling it a "fundamental lack of respect" for MPs and the public.
In his defence, Sir Keir confirmed that a full statement would be made to the Commons "at the earliest opportunity." He further detailed the parliamentary process, stating, "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."
Scope of the UK-France Security Pact
The joint declaration with France goes beyond ground troops. The comprehensive agreement also covers:
- Protection for Ukraine's airspace and territorial waters.
- The establishment of "military hubs" within Ukraine to facilitate the rapid deployment of defensive equipment.
- A structured multinational presence designed to bolster security guarantees for Kyiv in a post-ceasefire environment.
This pact formalises and expands upon previous statements from Sir Keir, who had indicated the UK might consider sending troops after a peace deal. It now provides the concrete legal basis for British and French forces to operate on Ukrainian soil in a defined, non-combat capacity aimed at stability and defence.
