Russia on Thursday rejected the idea of NATO countries sending peacekeeping troops to Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire in the war with Russia, saying such a move would threaten to cause an "uncontrollable escalation".

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, who is seeking a meeting with Trump, said on Tuesday that at least 200,000 European peacekeepers would be needed to prevent a new Russian attack

By Olena Harmash KYIV (Reuters) -British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Thursday he would give Ukraine the support it needed to put it in the strongest position to fight Russia in 2025, saying before talks in Kyiv with President Volodymyr Zelenskiy: "We mustn't let up".

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrived in Ukraine Thursday with a pledge to help guarantee the country’s security for a century, days before Donald Trump is sworn in as US president.

Britain has been at the forefront of western countries offering military support for Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022, but the question of whether the UK would put troops on the ground to help guarantee any peace deal will be a big test for Starmer.

Keir Starmer will meet President Volodymyr Zelensky for talks on strengthening the bond between the UK and Ukraine in the face of Russia’s brutal onslaught

Arriving on Thursday morning, he accompanied Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to lay flowers at a wall of remembrance for those killed in the war with Russia - telling reporters the UK will "never let up" on giving the necessary support to Ukraine.

The Kremlin has dismissed previous Western claims that Russia sponsored acts of sabotage and attacks in Europe

Keir Starmer will travel to Ukraine in the coming weeks to discuss the possibility of deploying an international peacekeeping force there after the conflict with Russia has ended, his first visit to the war-torn nation since becoming UK prime minister half a year ago.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer pledged on Thursday to work with Ukraine and allies to offer Kyiv robust security guarantees if a ceasefire is negotiated with Russia, offering more support to President Volodymyr Zelenskiy with a 100-year partnership deal.

Russia downed more than 200 Ukrainian drones and five US-made ATACMS ballistic missiles, according to the popular Shot Telegram channel. Flight restrictions were imposed in the southern Russian cities of Kazan, Saratov, Penza, Ulyanovsk and Nizhnekamsk, Russia’s aviation watchdog said.

With the overwhelming election of President Donald Trump to a second term, America welcomes an opportunity to reorient its foreign policy.