Sir Keir Starmer is prepared to support a peace deal in Ukraine without a ceasefire being in place, No 10 has indicated, as the prime minister reiterated that he is prepared to put “boots on the ground” to ensure security in the event of an agreement being struck.

European leaders have gathered in Washington as Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky met privately at the White House

Sir Keir Starmer has hailed “real progress” made during a White House summit with European leaders aimed at bringing an end to the war in Ukraine. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

Russia’s foreign ministry said UK PM Keir Starmer’s suggestion that he was prepared to deploy such troops was a dangerous ‘escalation’.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer spoke to the media after Zelensky met with Trump in Washington D.C, outlining two major outcomes.

Countries are focused on security guarantees that could take effect after a ceasefire or, preferably, a full peace deal, says Mark Rutte

In the last few hours, the PM has touched down in Washington to join the White House summit, which will be a landmark moment. The UK government hopes President Zelensky will carefully listen to and consider what Trump is offering, and that Starmer will flesh out details of measures to protect and defend Ukraine in the event a peace deal is struck.

The prime minister's spokesman said Kyiv was "on an irreversible path" to membership of the military alliance.

Keir Starmer thanked Trump at the top of a multilateral meeting of European leaders and Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky

Sir Keir's role at the White House is likely to rely on the rarity of his strong relationships with both Trump and Zelensky.