Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky meet to discuss potential peace in Ukraine, citing renewed optimism ahead of critical negotiations between global leaders.
Starmer Optimistic for Ukraine Ceasefire as Zelensky Visits London
Starmer Optimistic for Ukraine Ceasefire as Zelensky Visits London
In a pivotal meeting ahead of the Trump-Putin summit, Sir Keir Starmer expresses hopeful prospects for a ceasefire in Ukraine.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has voiced a cautious optimism regarding a potential ceasefire agreement for Ukraine during a noteworthy visit from President Volodymyr Zelensky to Downing Street. The discussions between the two leaders come just a day before a crucial summit in Alaska scheduled between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, where ending the ongoing conflict will be at the forefront of the agenda. Starmer emphasized the "viable chance" for peace, asserting that the integrity of Ukraine's borders must be upheld and not altered by military force.
The meeting, strategically planned for a high-profile display of UK support, follows a joint call with Trump on Wednesday involving Zelensky and other European leaders, who voiced their unified stance prior to the Alaska summit. US Vice-President JD Vance, present in the UK, reaffirmed Trump's commitment to establishing peace in Europe, though previous comments from Trump hinted at possible territorial concessions, raising concerns over Ukraine's sovereignty.
Zelensky remains firm that any negotiations involving ceding territory to Russia, particularly Crimea, are off the table, while Moscow insists on security guarantees if Ukraine is to remain outside NATO and limit its military capabilities. Starmer, addressing European leaders post-call with Trump, highlighted the necessity for a sustained ceasefire paired with security assurances, stating, "We have set up this coalition of the willing," implying readiness for military intervention to protect against any breaches of peace.
Sir Keir noted that the coalition, comprised mainly of European nations, has drawn up credible military plans to respond should hostilities continue, stressing the urgency of ramping up economic sanctions on Russia if necessary. He commended Trump's diplomatic efforts, reflecting on the prolonged conflict and the newfound hope for resolution stemming from the summit.
MI6's former head, Sir Alex Younger, warned that while Trump might have the leverage to influence outcomes, Putin's strategic intent remains aimed at undermining Ukraine's sovereignty. In light of the summit, Vance addressed American forces in the UK, discussing the longstanding US-UK alliance and emphasizing the importance of cooperative security efforts globally.
Following Wednesday's fruitful discussions, Trump suggested the possibility of a subsequent meeting involving Zelensky, aiming to establish clarity on future actions. Zelensky, who was also coordinating efforts in Berlin with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, rejected any notion of peace based on Russian conditions, vowing his nation's resilience against Moscow's ambitions.
