Starmer urges Putin to prove he is serious about peace by signing a ceasefire in Ukraine – State

LONDON (AP) – British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Saturday urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to sign a ceasefire in the war against Ukraine if he is serious about peace and said allies will continue to increase pressure on the Kremlin, including by pushing planned balanced forces to the “operational phase.”

Starmer said what he called “willing and delayed” of the Kremlin’s ceasefire proposal against U.S. President Donald Trump, Russia’s “continuous barbaric attacks” against Ukraine, “totally opposed to Prin’s desire for peace”.

“We agree that the ball is now in the Russian court and President Putin must prove that he is serious about peace and signs a ceasefire on an equal basis,” the Prime Minister said.

About 30 leaders participated in the call, including European partners such as French President Emmanuel Macron and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and leaders from Australia, Canada and New Zealand, as well as officials from NATO and EU executives.

Starmer convened a second meeting in two weeks as faced with the near-coming change in the United States after President Donald Trump’s return and measured support for any future possible peacekeeping missions. There are more countries participating this time than the last meeting on March 2.

“Collective determination is stronger and new commitments are made”, he said, which is related to both the defense of the deal and the broader issues of European defense and security.

Ukrainian troops maintain peace

Get national news

For news that affects Canada and around the world, please sign up for breaking news alerts that were sent directly to you at that time.

Stemmer said all those attending the meeting reaffirmed their commitment to Ukraine’s long-term security and agreed that Ukraine “must be able to defend itself and prevent future Russian aggression.”

He added that “strong and credible security arrangements” are the best way to ensure lasting peace in Ukraine, and said military planners will be called again in the UK on Thursday to develop practical plans to support Ukraine’s future security.

Starmer once again said without providing precise details that the allies were ready to incorporate their forces into Ukraine to maintain any post-ceasefire peace. Britain and France have been working to get Ukraine’s allies to provide troops, weapons or other assistance to European military forces that can be deployed to reassure Ukraine and to prevent another Russian attack.

He added: “We will establish Ukraine's own defense and armed forces and are ready to deploy as a 'willed coalition' in the peace agreement to help ensure Ukraine is on land, at sea and in the sky.”

There is no condition for a ceasefire

The meeting came after the U.S. proposed a 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine, which Zelenskyy supported. Putin said he supports the truce in principle, but many details have been formulated that need clarification before agreeing to a ceasefire.

Starmer said Zelenskyy's search for support for an unconditional ceasefire shows that Ukraine is a “peace party.”

Zelenskyy emerged from the meeting, calling for strengthening sanctions to force Russia to accept a ceasefire without conditions, which could pave the way for a peace agreement. In a series of posts on X, he said “Moscow knows a language” and the 30-day ceasefire “no murder” will create a window where “it is really possible to negotiate all aspects of true peace.”

He also said that after any peace agreement, he was stationed in Putin, Ukraine, as he provided support to European contingents as the “backstage” of the United States.

“If Putin wants to bring some foreign accidental sex into Russian territory, it's his business. But deciding the security of Ukraine and Europe is not his business,” Zelensky said.

“Good resonance from Russia”

Since Trump returned to the White House, the United States has changed its approach to war. Changes in measures taken by President Joe Biden have become particularly noteworthy after a conflict with Zelenskyy in the Oval Office on February 28.

Starmer, along with Macron, convened the “Willing Alliance”, in part to convince Trump to maintain his support for Kiev. One result has been an increasing number of European countries, especially those who need to do more to ensure their safety, including increasing defense spending.

Trump expressed optimism on Friday, and Putin would back off after meeting with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff earlier this week.

“I ended up reaching some pretty good resonance from Russia from the perspective of the ceasefire,” he said.

Three years after the full Russian invasion, Ukraine has endorsed the armistice proposal for a part of the war under severe military pressure. Russia's army has gained momentum on the battlefield, and analysts say Putin may not want to arrive at the ceasefire while feeling he has an advantage.

“Sooner or later, Putin will have to come to the table,” Stemmer said. “So it’s a moment to keep the gun silent, let the savage attacks stop once and for all and agree to a ceasefire.”