Starmer hails breakthrough on Ukraine – but anxiety over its future remains

Starmer hails breakthrough on Ukraine – but anxiety over its future remains

Political correspondent Joe Pike reported that Sir Keir Starmer praised US President Donald Trump’s commitment to security guarantees for Ukraine as a significant development. This came following a meeting between Volodymyr Zelensky and Vladimir Putin, which Starmer hailed as progress. The prime minister participated in a leaders’ summit at the White House, where he co-chaired a virtual meeting of European and Commonwealth allies to discuss next steps.

After the summit, a Downing Street spokesperson announced plans for a coalition of allies and US counterparts to convene in preparation for the potential deployment of a “reassurance force” in the event of a ceasefire. Discussions also focused on increasing pressure on Putin through sanctions. Trump, speaking to Fox News, mentioned that Ukraine would not join NATO, but European troops, including those from France, Germany, and the UK, would be present in Ukraine as a deterrence against Russian aggression.

Sir Keir Starmer’s approach towards Trump has been characterized by gratitude diplomacy, which explains his positive stance on the outcomes of the White House meeting. While concerns persist within the UK government about Ukraine’s future, Starmer expressed satisfaction with the progress made. There were worries among European officials about potential diplomatic risks during the meeting, but Starmer emphasized unity and progress towards security guarantees and peace negotiations.

The UK government’s focus now lies on preparing Ukraine for future peace negotiations. Trump’s commitment to security guarantees has provided Ukraine with more flexibility in its negotiations. There is a shared understanding that decisions regarding Ukrainian territory should rest solely with Ukraine. Despite differing viewpoints on the necessity of a ceasefire, European leaders seem optimistic about the progress made. The next steps involve detailed discussions about US involvement in security guarantees and the hope that Moscow will continue on the path towards peace crafted by the leaders involved

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