British fighter jets will police the skies above Ukraine under proposals being discussed by Sir Keir Starmer’s coalition of the willing.

The Telegraph understands that key military planners discussed sending British Typhoons to Ukraine to provide air cover for troops when they met at Permanent Joint Headquarters (PJHQ) on Thursday.

It comes as Emmanuel Macron explores alternatives to his plan with Sir Keir Starmer to put European boots on the ground to protect a future peace in Ukraine.

The French President is considering the possibility of the mission being led by the United Nations, raising the subject at a European Council summit on Thursday, The Telegraph understands.

Sir Keir attended the talks in Northwood, which were led by Lt General Nick Perry, the chief of joint operations, along with more than 30 nations who met to discuss how the coalition of the willing could help Ukraine.

The Prime Minister has already pledged to put British troops on the ground if Donald Trump successfully negotiates a peace deal with Vladimir Putin.

A senior RAF source told The Telegraph that air cover the British can supply would have been discussed at the meeting because in the event British soldiers go into Ukraine, “there will be a requirement for top cover”.

“We would never send British troops out on the ground without giving them air cover,” he said.

The RAF would provide either Typhoons or F35s as both provide “excellent air-to-air policing”.