Military Strategy Launched for Ceasefire in Ukraine, Says Starmer

Sir Keir Starmer leads discussions with global leaders, emphasizing immediate action against Russian aggression.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has confirmed that military planning to uphold a prospective ceasefire in Ukraine has transitioned to an "operational phase." This announcement came after a virtual summit with 29 world leaders, indicating a collective shift towards military preparedness. According to Starmer, military leaders will convene in the UK on Thursday to devise comprehensive plans aimed at reinforcing any peace agreement and ensuring Ukraine's security.

The meeting follows Ukraine's recent acceptance of a 30-day ceasefire following discussions with the United States, with Russian President Vladimir Putin expressing conditional support for the initiative. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky, who participated in Saturday's meeting, stressed the urgency of tangible action: "Active pressure is required, rather than mere dialogue," he conveyed, asserting that Russia remains the primary barrier to peace.

Zelensky called on European nations to expedite their armament production and engage with US President Donald Trump to expedite progress through stringent sanctions and heightened pressure to compel Russia into compliance. Post-meeting, Sir Keir emphasized the importance of decisive actions over rhetoric, condemning the "Kremlin's procrastination and continued aggression" as antithetical to Putin's voiced intentions for peace.

Leaders agreed that if Putin does not comply with an "immediate and unconditional ceasefire," they would intensify their efforts to bring him to the negotiation table. This would entail enhancing military assistance, tightening revenue sanctions against Russia, and seeking lawful ways to hold Russia accountable for its aggression against Ukraine.

While Putin acknowledged the notion of a ceasefire, he outlined various conditions, seeking clarity regarding Ukraine's rearmament and the framework for enforcement. Participants from NATO, the EU, and numerous other nations participated in Saturday's dialogue, with military chiefs set to formulate "practical strategies" this week to bolster Ukraine's defenses.

Starmer proposed a "coalition of the willing" to safeguard the proposed ceasefire, noting the coalition's broadened support, which now includes backing from nations such as Japan. The Prime Minister has expressed readiness to deploy UK troops to Ukraine under a peace agreement and has urged other European states to provide firm security assurances, emphasizing the necessity of a US "backstop."

In a subsequent press conference, Zelensky remarked on the requirement for some form of presence on the ground post-ceasefire, despite recognizing skepticism among certain quarters. Finnish President Alexander Stubb commented that it remains premature to discuss troop deployment as part of any security guarantees, stating that practical commitments should only arise following the establishment of a definite ceasefire and peace framework. Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the conflict has led to significant casualties.