Following a virtual meeting with 29 other world leaders, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced that military planning to safeguard a potential ceasefire in Ukraine is transitioning to an “operational phase.” Military officials are scheduled to convene in London on Thursday to establish robust strategies to support a peace agreement and ensure Ukraine’s future security, according to Sir Keir.
The recent meeting came after Ukraine agreed to a 30-day ceasefire following discussions with the United States. Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed support for the concept but outlined several conditions for peace. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, present at the meeting, emphasized the necessity for active pressure rather than mere dialogue.
Zelensky asserted that Russia is the key impediment to peace and emphasized the importance of commencing the path to peace unconditionally. He called for European nations to manufacture their own weaponry promptly and urged discussions with the US, led by President Donald Trump, to hasten the peace process through stringent sanctions and forceful measures against Russia. Sir Keir stressed the significance of tangible actions over mere rhetoric in achieving global peace.
During the virtual call, leaders agreed that if Putin rejected an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, they would escalate pressure to compel him to engage in negotiations. Strategies include intensifying military support, tightening sanctions on Russia’s income streams, and exploring all legal avenues to hold Russia accountable for the harm inflicted on Ukraine. Putin expressed backing for the ceasefire initiative but raised queries about the ceasefire terms, particularly concerning Ukraine’s rearmament and enforcement measures.
Various nations, along with Nato, the European Union, nearly two dozen European countries, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, participated in the discussions. Military commanders will convene to advance practical plans for supporting Ukraine’s defense. Sir Keir envisions bolstering Ukraine’s military capabilities and forming a “coalition of the willing” to secure Ukraine across land, sea, and air. The concept of a “coalition of the willing” gained traction, garnering support from Japan and others, as part of efforts to safeguard Ukrainian security
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