Sir Keir Starmer, the UK prime minister, recently spoke to MPs about the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. He described US President Donald Trump’s drive for peace as “sincere.” Starmer noted that while Europe would need to lead the peace efforts, a strong backing from the US is essential for any peacekeeping force.
As Starmer addressed Parliament, Trump made a bold statement on social media, criticizing Europe for saying they couldn’t handle the situation without American support. He also claimed that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky doesn’t genuinely want peace, warning that America might not tolerate this for long.
Last weekend, UK and French leaders discussed a plan to halt the fighting, intending to share these insights with the US. Starmer emphasized that Britain would take a significant role in ensuring a deal is reached, even suggesting the possibility of deploying British troops to Ukraine if necessary to deter Russian aggression.
So far, Trump has been hesitant to offer security guarantees and seems more focused on opening Ukrainian resources to US companies, arguing this would help reduce Russia’s threats. When asked whether this minerals deal would guarantee security, Starmer acknowledged it wouldn’t be sufficient alone.
Starmer’s approach has garnered support from various political figures, including former Conservative Foreign Secretary James Cleverly, who commended him for his actions over the weekend. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch supported Starmer’s decision to boost defense spending by reducing aid budgets.
Starmer assured MPs that any deployment of British troops would be a serious decision and would require a parliamentary vote. He articulated that supporting Ukraine was not only a moral obligation but also crucial for UK interests. He warned that failure to establish lasting peace could lead to greater instability, affecting living standards in Britain and emboldening Putin.
Despite Starmer’s resolve, Russia has openly rejected the idea of Western troops in Ukraine as part of any peace framework. The discussions in London followed tense exchanges between Trump and Zelensky at the White House, highlighting the fragile relationship between the US and Ukraine.
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey criticized Trump, labeling him an unreliable ally regarding Russia. Starmer disagreed, asserting that the UK and US share a deep-rooted alliance in defense, security, and intelligence, emphasizing that undermining this relationship now would be a grave mistake.
Labour MP Emily Thornberry questioned Starmer’s decision to cut aid for defense funding, expressing concerns that it could limit meaningful support and hinder the UK’s global leadership.
During the summit, French President Macron proposed a month-long truce between Russia and Ukraine, addressing air, sea, and energy infrastructure. However, the UK Defence Minister Luke Pollard noted that there wasn’t a recognized plan for the truce yet, and talks about finding a lasting peace were ongoing.
Starmer outlined a four-point strategy aimed at ending the war and enhancing Ukraine’s defense against Russia. This strategy includes engaging Ukraine in discussions, continuing military support, improving defense capabilities, and building a “coalition of the willing” to uphold the peace deal.
The UK and France are poised to play crucial roles, as both countries have pledged to send troops to Ukraine as part of these plans. However, beyond increasing defense budgets, there appears to be no unified plan among European leaders for ending the conflict. UK Defence Secretary John Healey is set to visit the US soon to further these discussions.
In other news from the weekend:
- Zelensky expressed that he would consider resigning if Ukraine could join NATO.
- European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen plans to present a “rearm” initiative for Europe shortly.
- Chancellor Rachel Reeves approved a £2.26bn loan scheme for Ukraine to acquire weapons and support rebuilding efforts post-war.
- Sir Keir announced a £1.6bn missile arrangement for Ukraine.
Check out this related article: Trump Criticizes Zelenskyy’s Comments on the Ongoing Russia War: What It Means for Global Relations
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