Keir Starmer engaged in discussions with Donald Trump regarding the contentious Ukraine peace initiative today, cautioning that further refinement was necessary.
The US President presented Ukraine with a tight deadline to respond to the proposed resolution to end the conflict with Russia. However, the Prime Minister and other global leaders expressed that the plan, which entails relinquishing territory and downsizing Kyiv’s military, required “additional refinement.”
Subsequently, Starmer conversed with Trump about the negotiations held among the Coalition of the Willing partners at the G20 summit. They agreed that their teams would collaborate on the peace proposal on Sunday, with plans for further discussions, as stated by a Downing Street spokesperson.
Additionally, the UK Prime Minister updated Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the ongoing talks and reiterated the UK’s unwavering support. In a joint declaration with other G7 leaders, excluding the US, they emphasized the importance of not altering borders through force.
During the call with Mr. Trump, a Downing Street representative conveyed that the leaders at the G20 summit were deliberating on the 28-point US peace plan in Geneva the following day. Trump and Starmer are scheduled to communicate again on Sunday.
Meanwhile, officials from the US and Ukraine are set to engage in urgent discussions in Switzerland, with the participation of US special envoy Steve Witkoff and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The UK’s National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell will join the Geneva talks after departing the G20 summit prematurely, along with counterparts from France and Germany.
Trump has given Ukraine a strict deadline of November 27, coinciding with Thanksgiving in the US, to respond to his proposal. The 28-point blueprint to address the Kremlin’s aggression sparked concerns in Kyiv and European capitals. Zelenskyy emphasized the challenging decision Ukraine faces between defending its sovereignty and maintaining crucial US support.
The US plan involves Ukraine ceding territory to Russia, reducing its military capacity, and halting its path to NATO membership, aligning with several of Moscow’s persistent demands while offering minimal security assurances to Kyiv.
In a collective statement, Starmer and twelve other European and international leaders commended the US’s efforts to facilitate peace in Ukraine. They acknowledged the foundational elements in the draft plan but stressed the need for further enhancements to ensure a sustainable peace, emphasizing the principle that borders should not be altered by force.
The statement, endorsed by the UK, France, Germany, and others, highlighted the importance of continued support for Ukraine amid the ongoing discussions. Former British Army commander Hamish de Bretton-Gordon criticized the peace plan as misguided, asserting that it benefits Putin’s aggression without aiding Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin cautiously welcomed the US proposal, acknowledging its potential to serve as a framework for a final peace settlement.