Good Morning Britain’s Charlotte Hawkins interrupted Monday’s (February 17) programme with some “breaking” news.
The anchor announced the arrival of Ukrainian delegates in Saudi Arabia, just as the US and Russia commence discussions aimed at halting Moscow’s incursion into Ukraine.
“Breaking news this morning. Ukrainian delegates have reportedly arrived in Saudi Arabia as America and Russia begin talks over a possible ceasefire,” Charlotte stated.
She added that Sir Keir Starmer is open to deploying British forces in Ukraine to support any peace agreements.
Later in the show, her co-host Richard Madeley provided further details, informing viewers: “The breaking news today, if you’re just joining us, is that the Prime Minister’s pledged overnight, in an article in the Daily Telegraph, to put UK troops’ boots on the ground in Ukraine to help maintain any peace settlement they’ve negotiated,” reports the Manchester Evening News.
He continued, revealing new developments: “That was when we came on air, but in the past hour, the US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, has touched down in Saudi Arabia to begin talks with Russia about ending the war with Ukraine.”
Despite initial signs of being excluded, Ukrainian representatives are now making their way to Riyadh, the Saudi capital.
Charlotte and Richard then turned to Wes Streeting, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, to discuss the Prime Minister’s intention to send British peacekeepers to Ukraine.
Starmer has described the current crisis as a pivotal “once in a generation moment” and an “existential” question looming over Europe.
Penning his thoughts in the Daily Telegraph, Starmer emphasised the UK’s commitment to take a leading role in supporting Ukraine’s defence and security, promising a hefty £3 billion annual investment until 2030.
Keir Starmer underlined the readiness to station British troops on Ukrainian soil if it becomes necessary, stating: “It also means being ready and willing to contribute to security guarantees to Ukraine by putting our own troops on the ground if necessary.”
Grasping the gravity of the situation, he added: “I do not say that lightly. I feel very deeply the responsibility that comes with potentially putting British servicemen and women in harm’s way. But any role in helping to guarantee Ukraine’s security is helping to guarantee the security of our continent, and the security of this country.”
Furthermore, Starmer insisted: “The end of this war, when it comes, cannot merely become a temporary pause before Putin attacks again.”
Good Morning Britain airs weekdays on ITV1 and ITVX at 6am