Sir Keir Starmer is set to host another round of high-level talks on Ukraine’s peacekeeping efforts on Saturday, warning Russian President Vladimir Putin not to “play games” with a proposed ceasefire deal.
The British Prime Minister will lead a virtual meeting with up to 25 nations, forming what he has termed the “coalition of the willing.” The discussion will focus on potential peacekeeping operations and reinforcing international efforts to secure a lasting ceasefire.
The talks follow diplomatic engagements between Sir Keir and world leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre. On Friday afternoon, Starmer reaffirmed his stance against Putin’s resistance to peace efforts, stating:
“We can’t allow President Putin to play games with President Trump’s deal. The Kremlin’s complete disregard for President Trump’s ceasefire proposal only serves to demonstrate that Putin is not serious about peace.”
Putin’s resistance to a ceasefire
Despite growing international pressure, Russia continues to resist the unconditional 30-day ceasefire proposal put forward earlier this week by Ukraine and the United States.
While President Putin has described the concept of a ceasefire as “correct,” he has demanded concessions from Ukraine, including abandoning its NATO membership ambitions and ceding control of occupied territories. Kyiv and its allies have firmly rejected these conditions, arguing that any ceasefire must be honoured without preconditions.
Sir Keir has dismissed Putin’s insistence on further discussions, saying:
“Putin is trying to delay, saying there must be a painstaking study before a ceasefire can take place, but the world needs to see action, not a study or empty words and pointless conditions. My message to the Kremlin could not be clearer: stop the barbaric attacks on Ukraine, once and for all, and agree to a ceasefire now. Until then, we will keep working around the clock to deliver peace.”
Trump signals optimism on ceasefire talks
Meanwhile, former US President Donald Trump has expressed optimism about Russia’s potential agreement to the ceasefire deal. In an interview with Full Measure, he said:
“I think (Putin’s) going to agree. I really do. I think I know him pretty well, and I think he’s going to agree.”
Trump has also claimed that he personally urged Moscow to spare Ukrainian soldiers, whom both he and Putin have alleged are “surrounded” in Russia’s Kursk region. However, Ukraine’s military has firmly denied these claims.
The Ukrainian armed forces issued a statement rejecting reports of encirclement, clarifying:
“Since the beginning of the current day, 13 combat clashes have taken place in the Kursk direction. There is no threat of encirclement of our units.”
Kursk has been a point of contention, with Ukraine staging an incursion into the region last year in an attempt to gain a bargaining chip for peace negotiations and shift the balance of the conflict.
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International unity on peacekeeping efforts
Saturday’s call will see world leaders receive updates on the resources and aid their countries can contribute to peacekeeping efforts. The meeting is part of a broader diplomatic push to maintain unity in supporting Ukraine while countering Russia’s continued aggression.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy has reiterated the G7’s firm stance, stating that Western allies remain united in their call for an unconditional ceasefire.
“G7 allies are united in calling for a ceasefire with ‘no conditions’ to halt the fighting in Ukraine,” Lammy said, underscoring the international pressure mounting on Russia.
A joint statement released by G7 foreign ministers on Friday reaffirmed their support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. However, the statement notably stopped short of directly condemning Russia’s invasion or explicitly attributing acts of aggression to Moscow.
Diplomatic efforts continue
The peacekeeping discussions follow a week of intense diplomatic manoeuvring. Ukraine has formally backed the US ceasefire plan, while American officials have engaged in direct talks with Moscow in an attempt to persuade the Kremlin to lay down arms.
As the coalition of nations prepares to discuss next steps, the question remains whether Putin will genuinely engage in peace efforts or continue his strategy of delay. For now, Starmer and his allies are determined to ensure that any potential truce is upheld with robust peacekeeping measures, ensuring that Ukraine’s sovereignty is not further compromised.
