Starmer warned about Putin's possible strategy against British troops.

The UK government fears that its soldiers, who have been sent to Ukraine as part of peacekeeping forces, may be subject to legal action regarding human rights. Therefore, Prime Minister Keir Starmer is calling for a blanket exemption from the European Convention on Human Rights for these soldiers. This is done out of fear that Russia may use the courts to prosecute British military personnel and undermine their morale.

Shadow Defence Secretary James Cartlidge wrote a letter to Defence Secretary Jonny Gove urging to protect soldiers from human rights claims. He noted that soldiers who have previously served in Iraq faced unfounded complaints about their conduct, which led to uncertainty among military personnel and veterans. Thus, to best protect the armed forces, Cartlidge proposes considering a withdrawal from the ECHR during the stay of British troops in Ukraine.

Soldiers and veterans who have served in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Northern Ireland have also faced legal action in recent years. The government has passed the Overseas Operations Act aimed at limiting baseless claims and hunting military personnel. However, the article on withdrawing from the ECHR was removed from this legislation. Therefore, Cartlidge urges the Defence Secretary to consider this option to minimize the risk of legal proceedings.

The Prime Minister's Office has so far declined to answer questions regarding the permission to open fire in response to Russian actions in the event of hostilities.

In the event of a permanent peace agreement between the US and Russia, European countries are preparing to provide the necessary forces and equipment for peacekeeping forces. However, support from the US is required for this. This affects the willingness of the White House to provide assistance to European allies in the event of an attack by Russian forces.