Western allies to ramp up support for Ukraine if peace deal struck: Starmer
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Saturday European nations and Western allies were ready to step up support for Ukraine in the event a peace deal was struck with Russia, with military leaders expected to firm up “robust plans” next week.
“My feeling is that sooner or later he’s going to have to come to the table and engage in serious discussion, but — this is a big but for us this morning in our meeting — we can’t sit back and simply wait for that to happen,” Starmer told leaders while sitting in front of a screen in an office in 10, Downing Street.
After hosting a virtual call with about 25 leaders, including those from Germany, France, Italy, Canada and Australia as well as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and NATO’s secretary general, Starmer said the “coalition of the willing” had reaffirmed its commitment to Ukrainian security.
“We agreed we will keep increasing the pressure on Russia, keep the military aid flowing to Ukraine, and keep tightening restrictions on Russia’s economy to weaken Putin’s war machine and bring him to the table,” Starmer told reporters.
The British leader was using the meeting to win support from allies to increase pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin to accept a ceasefire deal being pushed by US President Donald Trump, and to secure firm pledges to help secure any agreement - something Trump has made clear he expects Europe to take on.
“Our militaries will meet on Thursday this week here in the United Kingdom to put strong and robust plans in place to swing in behind a peace deal and guarantee Ukraine’s future security,” he said.
“President Trump has offered Putin the way forward to a lasting peace. Now we must make this a reality.”
Zelenskyy said he had urged Kyiv’s Western allies to give “a clear position” on security guarantees including about a potential foreign troop contingent on Ukrainian soil with a US backstop.
“We need to continue working on the contingents that will form the foundation of Europe’s future Armed Forces,” Zelenskyy said in a post on X with an image of himself taking part in the call.
Putin said on Thursday that he supported in principle Trump’s proposal for a 30-day ceasefire with Ukraine, but that Russia would fight on until several crucial conditions were worked out.
Zelenskyy urged European leaders to dismiss Putin’s opposition to European peacekeepers in Ukraine and blamed the Russian leader for stalling peace efforts.
“A ceasefire could have already happened, but Russia is doing everything to prevent it,” he said.
Ukraine, under severe military pressure on parts of the front line three years after Russia’s full-scale invasion, has already endorsed the truce proposal. Russia’s army has gained battlefield momentum, and analysts say Putin likely will be reluctant to rush into a ceasefire while he feels he has an advantage.
Moscow, Kyiv launch drone attacks
Russia and Ukraine traded heavy aerial blows overnight, with both sides reporting more than 100 enemy drones over their respective territories. The attacks come less than 24 hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin met US envoy Steve Witkoff to discuss details of the American proposal for a 30-day ceasefire in the war with Ukraine. Ukraine's air force said Russia had launched a barrage of 178 drones and two ballistic missiles over the country overnight. The attack was a mixture of Shahed-type drones and imitation drones designed to confuse air defences.
