Prime Minister Keir Starmer has sharply criticized Vladimir Putin for “playing games and playing for time” after the Russian leader demanded Western sanctions be lifted before implementing a U.S.-brokered Black Sea maritime ceasefire. Speaking at a Paris summit of 30 nations, Starmer insisted the West must intensify economic pressure on Moscow rather than offer concessions.
“The political will for peace has never been stronger across Europe, but now is not the time to weaken sanctions – we must increase them to force Russia to negotiate seriously,” Starmer declared alongside French President Emmanuel Macron. The UK leader announced Britain would chair the next Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting to coordinate military aid, with British, French and German defense chiefs planning talks in Kyiv.
The diplomatic clash follows Russia’s abrupt rejection of the maritime deal brokered through Saudi-mediated talks, with Moscow demanding:
- Reconnection of Russian agricultural banks to SWIFT
- Lifting restrictions on Russian-flagged cargo ships
- Removal of sanctions on farm machinery exports
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who held private talks with Starmer, warned summit attendees that “Russia doesn’t want peace” and is deliberately prolonging the war. The dispute comes as both sides accuse each other of violating a separate, fragile agreement to spare energy infrastructure from attacks.
While U.S. President Donald Trump acknowledged considering Russia’s demands, the EU firmly rejected any sanctions relief before full Russian withdrawal from occupied Ukrainian territory. Starmer emphasized Europe’s unprecedented unity, stating the continent “has not been this strong in a long time” as leaders work on security guarantees for Ukraine.
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