SIR Keir Starmer has said Vladimir Putin will “sooner or later” have to “come to the table”.
It came as the PM urged world leaders to keep up the pressure on Russia for an unconditional ceasefire.
Sir Keir Starmer has said Vladimir Putin will ‘sooner or later’ have to ‘come to the table’
APThe PM urged world leaders to keep up the pressure on Russia for an unconditional ceasefire[/caption]
Britain’s prime minister vowed to “strain every sinew” to ramp up economic pressure on Moscow until they agree to a ceasefire.
Starmer has already vowed to “work around the clock” to help deliver peace to Europe.
He has been Kyiv‘s biggest ally in recent weeks with the UK set to be a part of a crucial “coalition of the willing” meeting later today to further support Ukraine.
Sir Keir Starmer hosted further talks today after warning Vladimir Putin not to play games with a proposed ceasefire.
The Prime Minister held a video call with as many as 25 potential members of the “coalition of the willing”, nations that could take part in any peacekeeping operation.
They included leaders from Europe, Canada, Ukraine, Australia and New Zealand as well as officials from the EU commission and Nato.
He said: “If (Russian President Vladimir) Putin is serious about peace, it’s very simple, he has to stop his barbaric attacks on Ukraine and agree to a ceasefire.
“We have to keep pushing ahead, pushing forward, and preparing for peace and a peace that will be secure and that will last.”
After speaking to French president Emmanuel Macron and Norwegian prime minister Jonas Gahr Store yesterday, Sir Keir warned: “We can’t allow President Putin to play games with President Trump’s deal.
“The Kremlin’s complete disregard for President Trump’s ceasefire proposal only serves to demonstrate that Putin is not serious about peace.”
It comes as Russia has continued to resist proposals for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire put forward by Ukraine and the US earlier in the week.
Sir Keir added: “Putin is trying to delay, saying there must be a painstaking study before a ceasefire can take place, but the world needs to see action, not a study or empty words and pointless conditions.
“My message to the Kremlin could not be clearer: stop the barbaric attacks on Ukraine, once and for all, and agree to a ceasefire now. Until then we will keep working around the clock to deliver peace.”
Meanwhile, Donald Trump appeared more upbeat about securing a deal with mad Vlad as he boasted about having some good news on the potential ceasefire.
He said he is getting “pretty good vibes out of Russia” that could save “millions of lives”.
The US has held “very good and productive discussions” with both Ukraine and Russia in the past 48 hours, he added.
The US President teased the positive update during a speech at the Department of Justice in Washington.
He told the Full Measure television programme: “I think (Putin’s) going to agree. I really do. I think I know him pretty well and I think he’s going to agree.”
But he said that it will not easy, and again claimed that Ukrainian troops in Kursk remain “surrounded” and in “grave danger”.
Putin has demanded the surrender of Kursk troops, asking that they lay down their weapons and give up the fight.
However Ukraine’s military have rejected any idea that its brave troops are being trapped as they brandished the suggestions as “false”.
By Lydia Doye
The “Coalition of the Willing” is a coalition of countries which have all pledged their support to Ukraine.
Countries in the coalition could end up sending soldiers to act as peacekeepers in Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire.
The initiative was first presented by Prime Minister Keir Starmer on March 2, which hosted European and Canadian leaders.
It is now being led by the UK and France, as part of a plan to achieve peace in Ukraine.
Saturday’s meeting will bring together European nations, the EU Commission, Nato, Canada, Ukraine, Australia and New Zealand.
The valiant fight on the battlefield comes as talks around a ceasefire are intensifying with Trump and Putin drawing closer to holding a crunch phone call.
The Russian despot met with US special envoy Steve Witkoff on Thursday night as mad Vlad sent him back to Washington with a special message, the Kremlin has claimed.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov revealed Putin and Witkoff spoke about arranging a time for the Russian leader and Trump to speak soon.
A date or time is yet to be agreed as Putin wanted Witkoff to pass on some private information to Trump first.
Meanwhile, one of Putin’s closest cronies has attacked Britain after Foreign Secretary David Lammy urged Russia to agree to a ceasefire.
Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev posted online that Lammy and Britain can “shove their idea back where it came from”.
He said: “UK updates Trump – Russia should accept the proposal for a ceasefire in Ukraine without any conditions, says the British Foreign Secretary.
“Britain and its minister can shove their idea back up where it came from, diplomatically speaking.”
Ukraine’s President Zelensky shared his thoughts on X last night.
He wrote: “Today has been a day full of diplomacy and negotiations that could bring us closer to peace.
“Now on the table is the U.S. proposal for unconditional ceasefire in the sky, at sea, and on the frontlines.
“Ukraine accepts this proposal, and from here, we can begin a swift move towards guaranteed security, the end of this war and a reliable peace.
“Our teams worked very well at the meeting in Saudi Arabia, and contacts with the American side are ongoing.
“We are committed to a constructive approach. And it is still crucial to pressure Russia into being constructive, to put an end all these Russian manipulations that could only prolong the war.
“I am grateful to everyone who is supporting Ukraine now and our efforts toward peace.
“Today, I heard many right words about the need to end the war. I heard a lot of approval for Ukraine’s position.
“We continue our work to unite everyone who can truly help, who can strengthen diplomacy and bring peace closer.”
What have world leaders said about the ceasefire?
By Lydia Doye
Putin said on Friday that the situation is starting to move.
The Russian leader flattered Trump and said: “We know that the new administration headed by President Trump is doing everything to restore at least something of what was basically destroyed by the previous US administration.”
Trump responded by hinting at some good news, and said he had “very good and productive discussions” with both Russia and Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Zelensky said he sees a “good chance” for an end to the war.
But he stressed that “only decisive actions can end this war”.
Starmer echoed Zelensky’s messaged and called on Putin to stop playing games.
Starmer spoke ahead of his “Coalition of the Willing” meeting and said he would work around the clock to achieve peace.
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