The war in Ukraine is “the frontline for all of us” in Europe, a minister has said after Sir Keir Starmer said he is prepared to put British troops on the ground.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting told Wilfred Frost on Sky News Breakfast the government stands firmly behind Ukraine – not just for Ukrainians, but because Vladimir Putin’s “imperialist expansionist agenda” threatens the UK and Europe’s national security.

Politics latest: PM jets off to Paris for emergency meeting

He said: “There is no greater priority for any government or any government worthy of the name than the security of the nation.

“The prime minister feels this very strongly that the war in Ukraine isn’t just the frontline for the Ukrainians, it’s the front line for all of us on our continent and across our continent.”

His comments come as Sir Keir travels to Paris for an “emergency meeting” of European leaders on Monday after Donald Trump pushed for Europe to provide more support for Kyiv, and the US to spend less.

The new US defence secretary has also told Ukraine that Russia will be able to keep some of the land they have taken by force as Mr Trump held a call with Mr Putin about Ukraine, without Kyiv on the call. The US president is pushing for a deal with Mr Putin to end the war rapidly.

In Paris, Sir Keir is expected to say: “Peace comes through strength. But the reverse is also true. Weakness leads to war.”

Mr Trump and his team appeared to undermine US policy since Russia invaded Ukraine that the West would not negotiate unless Ukraine was involved.

Ahead of the meeting of European leaders on Monday, Sir Keir said he was “ready and willing” to put British troops into a peacekeeping force in Ukraine.

Writing in The Daily Telegraph, the prime minister also said the UK was “ready to play a leading role” in Ukraine’s defence and security, by committing £3bn a year until 2030.

The PM last month told Sky News’ political editor Beth Rigby, during a surprise visit to Ukraine, the UK would play its “full part” in peacekeeping efforts in Ukraine.

Sir Keir is set to travel to Washington DC next week for his first in-person meeting with Mr Trump since he won the election. Another meeting of European leaders, including Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy, is expected to take place after that.

As Mr Trump’s administration essentially ripped up the rules-based post-world war order, his vice president, JD Vance, yet again called for other NATO members to spend more on defence.

The UK currently spends 2.3% of GDP on defence but is aiming for 2.5%, however, Mr Trump has demanded each NATO member spends 5%.

Mr Streeting said it would be a struggle to reach 2.5% due to the “dire finances” Labour inherited from the Conservative government, but said there was no higher priority than the UK and Europe’s security.

“We don’t treat our manifesto lightly,” he said.

“We made all of those commitments in good faith, and we are determined to carry them out and to deliver every single one of them in the same good faith.

“That’s the work all of us are committed to doing. You know, we don’t pretend that the choices we face are easy, but we didn’t ask to come into government for an easy ride.”

Defence sources told Sky News an increase to 2.5% of GDP – which would amount to about an extra £5bn annually – is still far short of what is required to rebuild and transform the armed forces, stressing that an ultimate hike to at least 3% of national income would be necessary.

But the sources said a rapid rise in investment to the government’s promised target of 2.5% of GDP, from 2.3% at present, should prevent new swingeing reductions in capabilities

US officials, including US Secretary of State Mark Rubio, and Russian counterparts are expected to meet in Saudi Arabia for talks this week, however, Ukrainian officials are not expected to be at the table.