Starmer, opposition leader clash on Ukraine, Greenland at 1st UK prime minister’s questions session of 2026

​​​​​​​By Aysu Bicer

LONDON (AA) - British Prime Minister Keir Starmer came under sharp questioning from opposition leader Kemi Badenoch about Ukraine, Greenland and relations with the US, during the first prime minister’s questions session of 2026.

Badenoch, leader of the Conservative Party, opened by welcoming “the prime minister’s efforts” to secure peace in Ukraine and to address concerns about Greenland.

Her remarks followed a declaration of intent signed Tuesday in Paris by the leaders of Ukraine, France and the UK on deploying multinational forces to support Kyiv’s defense, reconstruction and long-term stability.

But Badenoch said it was “astonishing” that Starmer had not made a statement to parliament on Ukraine on the same day, given what she described as a commitment to deploy British troops.

She also raised concerns about Greenland, citing recent remarks from the White House, and said that while the US remains the UK’s closest ally, Greenland’s sovereignty is “sacrosanct.”

Badenoch asked what Starmer was doing to make that clear to US President Donald Trump.

Starmer said the agreement reached in Paris was a political declaration and further steps would be required before any troop deployment. He added that he would make a statement to MPs “at the earliest opportunity.”

Badenoch then urged Starmer to hold talks with NATO leaders, including Trump, particularly in light of US threats to annex Greenland by force.

Starmer said he would “of course” speak to Trump after the White House said Monday that the US president was discussing “a range of options” to acquire Greenland, including the possible use of military force.

He added that discussions would also cover plans to deploy British troops to Ukraine in the event of a peace agreement with Russia, stressing that MPs would have an opportunity to vote on any such decision.

Pressed on how many British troops could be deployed and in what capacity, Starmer said forces would be sent “to support Ukraine’s capabilities if it conducted deterrence operations and to construct and protect military hubs,” adding that the numbers would be specified at the time.

Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey also raised concerns about the legality of the recent US military action in Venezuela.

Starmer said the US must justify its actions against the “benchmark” of international law. He accused Starmer of looking “ridiculous” by not taking a clear view on whether the US had broken international law.

Davey asked whether a US attack on Greenland would undermine NATO and whether the UK should accelerate increases in defense spending.

Starmer responded that Greenland’s future was for Greenland and Denmark alone to decide, adding that being asked to choose between NATO and the US would be a “strategic mistake.”