Keir Starmer engaged in discussions with Donald Trump regarding the contentious Ukraine peace initiative today, cautioning that further refinement was necessary. The US President set a tight timeline for war-torn Ukraine to respond to the proposed resolution aimed at ending the conflict with Russia. However, the Prime Minister and other global leaders expressed the view that the plan, which entails ceding territory and downsizing Kyiv’s military, required “additional work.”
Subsequently, Starmer and Trump conversed regarding the deliberations held by the Coalition of the Willing members at the G20 summit. They agreed that their teams would collaborate on refining the peace proposal on Sunday, with plans for further discussions, as stated by a Downing Street spokeswoman.
Additionally, the Prime Minister updated Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the ongoing negotiations earlier today, reaffirming the UK’s backing. In a joint statement issued by Starmer and fellow G7 leaders (excluding the US), they emphasized the importance of not altering borders through force.
During the conversation with Mr. Trump, a Downing Street spokesman relayed that the leaders at the G20 summit had agreed for their teams to work jointly on the 28-point US peace plan in Geneva the following day. Trump and Starmer are scheduled to communicate again on Sunday.
In a media briefing in Johannesburg, the PM mentioned his anticipation of speaking with the US President in the near future, clarifying that there were no immediate plans to visit Washington DC, with the focus currently on urgent discussions in Geneva.
High-level discussions between US and Ukrainian officials are set to take place in Switzerland, with the US President’s special envoy and Secretary of State, along with the UK’s National Security Adviser and counterparts from France and Germany, expected to participate in the Geneva talks.
The US has set a strict deadline of November 27 for Ukraine to respond to the peace plan, coinciding with Thanksgiving in the US. The proposed 28-point blueprint to resolve the conflict with Russia has raised concerns in Kyiv and European capitals, with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy highlighting the challenging decision his country faces.
The plan involves Ukraine relinquishing territory to Russia, reducing its military capacity, and impeding its path to NATO membership, aligning with Moscow’s demands. Starmer and other European leaders stressed the need for further refinement of the plan to ensure a sustainable and just peace, expressing support for Ukraine and pledging continued coordination with the US.
The statement, endorsed by various nations and entities including the UK, France, Germany, Japan, Canada, Italy, and the European Union, emphasized the importance of not altering borders through force and raised concerns about the limitations on Ukraine’s armed forces in the proposed plan.
Former British Army commander, Hamish de Bretton-Gordon, criticized the peace plan as “bonkers,” contending that it rewards Putin for aggression and does not benefit Ukraine. He emphasized the necessity for extensive additional work on the plan to effectively halt the conflict in Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin cautiously welcomed the US proposal, acknowledging its potential as a foundation for a final peace settlement.