British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has stated that the United Kingdom, France, and Ukraine have agreed to work on a ceasefire proposal to present to the United States.
Speaking to a news outlet on Sunday, Starmer said he believes US President Donald Trump wants a durable peace in Ukraine and reiterated that US security guarantees will be necessary to ensure the success of any peace agreement.
“I’ve always been clear that that is going to need a US backstop because I don’t think it would be a guarantee without it,” Starmer said.
He expressed hope that a European “coalition of the willing” would come together to support Ukraine, stressing that any ceasefire must be underpinned by the US to prevent a renewed Russian invasion.
“In other words, we’ve got to find those countries in Europe that are prepared to be a bit more forward-leaning,” Starmer stated.
“The UK and France are the most advanced on the thinking of this, and that is why President Macron and I are working on this plan, which we will then discuss with the US.”
The British prime minister spoke to French President Emmanuel Macron and US President Donald Trump on Saturday following discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at Downing Street.
During the meeting, Zelenskyy thanked Starmer for his unwavering support, describing their conversation as “meaningful and warm.” The two leaders discussed Ukraine’s challenges, European security concerns, coordination with international partners, and efforts to achieve a just peace with strong security guarantees.
Macron warned that Russia could escalate its military operations further west unless it is stopped. “We have an overarmed and aggressive Russia on our borders. It is carrying out terrorist actions and massive disinformation campaigns here and in Europe,” he told French media.
The French president cautioned that if Russian President Vladimir Putin is not stopped, “he will certainly move on to Moldova and perhaps beyond to Romania.” He stressed the broader security implications for Europe, stating, “It’s our security that’s at stake.”
Macron also emphasised the importance of US involvement in the conflict. “The clear destiny of the Americans is to be on the side of the Ukrainians, I have no doubt about that,” he said. “I want the Americans to understand that disengagement from Ukraine is not in their interests.”
The discussions between Starmer, Macron, and Trump come as European leaders work to develop a framework for peace in Ukraine, with the aim of securing long-term stability in the region.
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