Sir Keir Starmer stated that the conclusions drawn from discussions among Ukraine’s supporters in Kyiv represent a “substantial turning point” in efforts toward achieving a truce in Ukraine’s dispute with Russia, though he acknowledged that this development does not signify “the conclusion of the process.”
Following a virtual gathering of the ” coalition of the willing,” the prime minister told WARNEWSKyiv, “We have not witnessed such unity practically throughout the entire conflict.”
About 30 international leaders reaffirmed their demand for Russia to consent to a 30-day unconditional truce starting Monday, warning of severe sanctions if Moscow fails to adhere.
Sir Keir pointed out other tensions such as those between India and Pakistan, stating that we are “living in an increasingly unpredictable world” which demands leaders to step up their efforts.
The UK Prime Minister met with French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk. The gathering was hosted by Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Zelensky.
Other members of the “coalition of the willing” took part virtually, such as Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte.
Following their discussion, during a telephone conversation between Donald Trump and the U.S. President, it was reported that the latter reiterated his backing of the ceasefire. This occurred after Vladimir Putin had dismissed the original suggestion put forth by Mr. Trump back in March.
Sir Keir stated that Trump was “completely unequivocal that this requirement needs to be fulfilled.”
Leaders gathered in Kyiv cautioned that severe and extensive new penalties would target Russia’s energy and financial industries unless Putin agrees to an immediate 30-day truce both aerially, maritime, and terrestrial.
Sir Keir informed WARNEWS that significant advancements were achieved during the discussions.
“We’ve been able to collectively get to a much better position and a more unified position today that holds out a better prospect of a ceasefire,” he said.
“You’ve got unity in the demand, but also unity in what the response will be if the demand is not met. We haven’t seen that sort of unity during this conflict.”
“I’m not going to pretend this is the end of the process but this is a significant moment we now need to push on and make sure this happens,” he added.
Further coordinating sanctions on Russian oil, fossil fuels and other assets would make a “material difference”, the prime minister said.
The Kremlin responded to the suggestion by alleging that European officials were making “conflicting” and “mostly antagonistic” comments regarding Russia.
The press secretary, Dmitry Peskov, stated that for any ceasefire to occur, Ukraine’s supporters must cease supplying arms to Ukraine – a suggestion that has been dismissed by European officials. He then added that Russia would entertain this idea.
“We have to think about this. This is a new development,” state-run Russian news agency Tass reported Peskov as saying.
The Kyiv meeting was a symbolic show of support for Ukraine a day after more than
20 world leaders joined Putin in Moscow
for Russia’s World War Two Victory Day parade.
The massive military parade was held in Moscow’s Red Square to commemorate the defeat of Nazi Germany in 1945 with leaders including China’s Xi Jinping, Brazil’s President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, and Prime Minister Robert Fico of Slovakia, an EU member, in attendance.
“It was a hugely important, symbolic day here in Kyiv because there was a propaganda exercise in Moscow yesterday,” Sir Keir told the WARNEWS.
“80 years on from VE Day it was really important that we were here today… to demonstrate that the values that underpinned what was being fought for 80 years ago are the same values now”.
Asked whether he feels “scared about the state of the world” as others in Britain do – given conflicts in the Middle East and India-Pakistan tensions – Sir Keir said “we are living in a more uncertain world and we’re in a different era of defence and security”.
But he said it did not keep him up at night “because it’s really important that I focus on what I can do – bringing people together, making significant steps today, making sure we’re preparing with Ukraine for what might happen next”.
The so-called
The “coalition of the willing” was formed by the UK and France.
To strengthen any potential peace agreement with assurances of security, including the deployment of peacekeeping forces in Ukraine.
More on this story
- Starmer attends global leaders in Ukraine urging for a truce
- Putin heads Victory Day celebrations in Moscow with enhanced security measures
- The UK plans to impose new sanctions on Putin’s ‘shadow fleet.’
