Starmer: UK And France To Work On Plan To End Ukraine Conflict
Starmer is set to host a defence summit with European leaders in London today
3 min read
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said that the United Kingdom and France will work with Ukraine on a "plan to stop the fighting" that will then be discussed with the United States.
The move is a step change from the approach taken in previous weeks, as US president Donald Trump led peace talks with Russia without Ukraine. Starmer said: "I think we've got a step in the right direction."
Starmer is set to host a defence summit with European leaders in London on Sunday, where Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky will be in attendance.
On Friday, Zelensky and Trump clashed at the Oval Office as plans to sign a proposed economic partnership fell through.
Asked about the public argument on the BBC's Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg this morning, Starmer said he "felt uncomfortable" and added "nobody wants to see that".
Following the disastrous meeting in Washington DC, Starmer said he picked up the phone to both President Trump and President Zelensky.
On Trump, Starmer said: "I'm clear in my mind that he does want lasting peace. He does want an end to the fighting in Ukraine."
Zelensky's meeting with Trump followed Starmer's visit to the White House on Thursday, where Trump accepted an invitation for a second state visit to the UK. Starmer's trip to the US followed an announcement on Tuesday that defence spending will increase to 2.5 per cent by 2027.
On Saturday, the UK also announced a new £2.6bn loan for Ukraine linked to frozen Russian assets.
The minister of finance of Ukraine Sergeii Marchenko said that the agreement was "another significant step in strengthening Ukraine’s defence capabilities".
Starmer said today that after meeting with Zelensky on Saturday that he spoke with both France president Emmanuel Macron and president Trump on the phone.
"We've now agreed that the United Kingdom, along with France and possibly one or two others, will work with Ukraine on a plan to stop the fighting, and then we'll discuss that plan with the United States."
"I think we've gone a step in the right direction, because, as I say, Nobody wants to see what happened on Friday, but it's really important that we keep our central focus, which is lasting peace in Ukraine."
Starmer said that lasting peace to Trump means "a line that is agreed" and "that line is defended".
Asked by Kuenssberg where that line between Russia and Ukraine would be, Starmer said that was a subject for discussion.
Starmer said the worst outcome of any agreement would be "Putin comes again", which he thinks is "a real risk".
"That is why we must ensure that if there's a deal, it's a lasting deal, not a temporary pause," Starmer added.
The Prime Minister said that in order to secure lasting peace, it would be necessary to have "a strong Ukraine", a European element with security guarantees and a US backstop.
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