Prime Minister Keir Starmer has issued a stark warning that a poorly negotiated peace agreement to end the war in Ukraine could pave the way for even more severe conflicts in the future. Speaking to the Commons Liaison Committee on 15 December 2025, the Labour leader stressed that the United Kingdom must remain vigilant against the persistent threat posed by Vladimir Putin's Russia.
A Stark Historical Warning
Starmer drew on historical parallels to underline his point, stating that Europe's past is littered with peace treaties that ultimately collapsed and led to greater violence. "History is littered with peace agreements in Europe which people had faith in but in the end fell apart and led to even worse conflicts," he told senior MPs. He emphasised that any potential deal must be just and lasting, with strong security guarantees, and that the decision on territorial concessions rests solely with Ukraine.
The Prime Minister was due to travel directly from the committee hearing to Berlin for urgent talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and other European leaders. "This is a critical period for Ukraine, and not just for Ukraine, for Europe and the UK," Starmer asserted ahead of his departure.
The 'Ever-Present Danger' from Russia
Starmer left no doubt about the nature of the threat, highlighting Putin's consistent pattern of aggression. "Putin has shown time and again that he will keep coming back for more if he sees the chance. We must never lose sight of that," he warned. He connected the defence of Ukraine directly to UK security, citing Russian activities in British waters, cyber attacks, and the 2018 Salisbury poisonings as evidence of Moscow's broader intent.
"We have to be alert to that ever-present danger from Russia," Starmer said, explaining that support for Kyiv is also about defending the UK. He vowed that the UK would not "let up" in its efforts to back Ukraine, a stance that comes amid reported pressure from former US President Donald Trump to end the conflict.
Behind the Scenes of Peace Talks
The diplomatic push in Berlin comes as President Zelensky has been engaged in two days of discussions with US envoy Steve Witkoff and Donald Trump's son-in-law, Jared Kushner. The talks focus on a new, confidential 20-point peace plan, designed as an alternative to a US-led proposal viewed by many as too favourable to Moscow.
This political manoeuvring coincides with a grave assessment from MI6 chief, Blaise Metreweli. In a speech in London, she accused Putin of deliberately stalling negotiations and shifting the costs of war onto the Russian population. "He is dragging out negotiations and shifting the cost of war onto his own population," Metreweli stated.
She also warned that alongside the conventional war, Russia is testing the West "in the grey zone with tactics that are just below the threshold of war," including bullying and manipulation campaigns. Despite this, she affirmed that Western support for Ukraine remains "enduring" and "sustained," as it is fundamental to global stability.
Starmer's message, backed by intelligence assessments, frames the ongoing conflict not merely as a distant tragedy but as a direct and enduring challenge to European and British security that demands unwavering resolve.
