Russia calls Starmer 'a fool' after he vows to station troops in Ukraine

A Russian senator, Dmitry Rogozin, called Prime Minister Keir Starmer 'illiterate' and 'a fool' after Starmer signed a Paris declaration outlining possible British troop deployments to Ukraine; Starmer said any deployment would be subject to a parliamentary vote.

A Russian senator publicly insulted UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer after Starmer signed a declaration in Paris describing how British forces might be deployed to Ukraine if a peace deal is reached. The senator said the proposal would expose the UK to missile strikes and used disparaging language toward Starmer. Starmer told parliament that any deployment under the declaration would be put to a vote in the House of Commons. The episode came amid continued reports of attacks and damage in and around Ukraine. Key facts: - Senator Dmitry Rogozin described Keir Starmer as 'illiterate' and 'a fool' and said the troop proposal would make the UK vulnerable to missile strikes, according to his remarks. - Starmer signed a declaration of intent in Paris with France's Emmanuel Macron and Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky outlining possible force deployments in the event of a peace deal. - Starmer told parliament he would put any decision to deploy UK forces under that declaration to a vote in the House of Commons. - Reports in the same coverage noted continued Russian attacks and related disruptions, including power outages and an explosion at a site in the Belgorod region, as described by local officials. Summary: The exchange between a senior Russian official and the UK prime minister reflects heightened diplomatic tension after a Paris declaration on potential troop deployments in Ukraine. Any UK deployment is reported as requiring approval by parliament, and Starmer has discussed security guarantees with US officials. Undetermined at this time.