UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described the recent talks in Kyiv as a significant moment in efforts to end the Ukraine-Russia conflict. He said the summit marked progress but stressed it was not the end of the process toward a ceasefire. The meeting brought together around 30 world leaders, both in person and remotely, under a unified demand for peace.
Leaders called for Russia to agree to a 30-day unconditional ceasefire starting Monday or face major economic sanctions. Starmer said unity among allies had reached a level not seen since the beginning of the war. He attended alongside Emmanuel Macron, Friedrich Merz, Donald Tusk, and Volodymyr Zelensky, with others joining via video link.
Among the virtual participants were Giorgia Meloni, Mark Carney, Mark Rutte, and Ursula von der Leyen. Following the summit, Starmer spoke with U.S. President Donald Trump, who reaffirmed backing for the ceasefire demand. Trump had previously made a similar proposal in March, which Russia initially rejected without offering alternatives. Now, he expressed firm support, stating the ceasefire demand must be respected without delay or conditions.
The assembled leaders threatened heavy sanctions targeting Russia’s energy and banking sectors if no agreement is reached.
Starmer said the talks delivered both a unified demand and a clear collective response if Russia refuses. He added that although not final, this was a key turning point and a chance to build pressure. Russia reacted critically, calling the Western approach contradictory and confrontational, particularly regarding continued military aid to Ukraine. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said weapons transfers must end before talks could proceed, a condition rejected by European leaders.
Later, Peskov said Russia would consider the new proposal, calling it a development worth discussing internally.
The summit came a day after Russia’s Victory Day parade in Moscow, which saw global attendance including Xi Jinping and Lula da Silva. Starmer contrasted that event with the Kyiv summit, calling it a display of real values and international solidarity. He said defending the same principles fought for 80 years ago remains vital in the present era. When asked about global unrest, he pointed to conflict in the Middle East and India-Pakistan tensions as worrying signs.
He admitted the world has grown more unstable but said this does not affect his resolve or focus. Starmer stressed the importance of leadership that takes action rather than being paralysed by fear. He said his priority is unity, coordination, and preparing alongside Ukraine for what could come next. The coalition of the willing, led by the UK and France, aims to reinforce future peace agreements with guarantees. That may include international peacekeeping deployments and long-term coordination among allied states.
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