Ukraine war: Starmer meets Nato troops on Estonia visit

Union leader Sir Keir Starmer said during his visit to Estonia that his party “stands steadfastly in solidarity with Ukraine”.

During a trip that took place 15 days after Ukraine was invaded, he met NATO troops stationed in the country, which also borders Russia.

Sir Keir also held talks with Estonian Defense Minister Kalle Laanet.

His visit comes as the army says a small number of soldiers disobeyed orders and went to Ukraine to fight.

Estonia, which shares a 294km border with Russia, is a full NATO member, but President Alar Karis has warned that Mr Putin’s government could use hybrid warfare, including cyber-attacks, against its people.

Sir Keir and Shadow Defense Minister John Healey met Colonel Dai Bevan, who commands NATO’s Enhanced Forward Presence in Estonia, at the Tapa base in the north of the country.

They will have lunch there with troops and return to the capital, Tallinn, to address members of the Estonian Parliament.

On the way from the Ministry of Defense building to Tapa, Sir Keir tweeted: “Today John Healey and I are in Estonia to meet with our allies and British troops.

“Labor stands firmly in solidarity with Ukraine and we are committed to supporting our NATO allies.”

The British Army said a small number of soldiers “disobeyed orders and were absent without leave” and may have traveled to Ukraine “in a personal capacity”.

There is no indication that those involved were from the Tapa base.

Defense Secretary Ben Wallace has warned that soldiers could be prosecuted for desertion if they travel to Ukraine to fight the Russian army.

Sir Keir, who supports the UK’s military stance on Ukraine, has urged the government to do more to help refugees.