Britain and France will lead "a coalition of the willing" to end the war in Ukraine, Sir Keir Starmer has announced. He stressed that he believed US President Trump remains committeed to peace - but said the UK and France would "discuss that plan with the United States after it had been agreed".
Speaking to BBC's Laura Kuenssberg, the Prime Minister repeatedly praised the US President and stressed the importance of the close relationship with the UK and America. But he also suggested he and France's President Macron would now take the lead in talks with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Sir Keir, who today hosts European leaders including Mr Zelensky at a major summit in London, said he had a long meeting with Ukraine's President yesterday. He said "As a result of the meeting yesterday, we had quite a long time with President Zelensky, and then President Macron on the phone and President Trump on the phone.
"We have now agreed that the United Kingdom along with France and possibly one or two others will work with Ukraine on a plan to stop the fighting, and then we’ll disucss that plan with the United States."
Sir Keir Starmer said he is “working hard” to bring about three components of a lasting peace in Ukraine.
The Prime Minister told the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg: “What I am clear about is that if there is to be a deal, if there is to be a stopping of the fighting, then that agreement has to be defended, because the worst of all outcomes is that there is a temporary pause and then Putin comes again.
“That has happened in the past, I think it is a real risk, and that is why we must ensure that if there’s a deal it is a lasting deal, not a temporary pause.”
A security guarantee from the Americans is the subject of “intense” discussion, Sir Keir said.
He added: “For me, the components of a lasting peace are a strong Ukraine to fight on, if necessary, to be in a position of strength; to negotiate a European element to security guarantees, and that’s why I’ve been forward-leaning on this about what we would do; and a US backstop.
“That’s the package, all three parts need to be in place, and that’s what I’m working hard to bring together.”
Sir Keir continued: “My driving purpose has been to bridge this, if you like, and get us back to the central focus. And as a result of the meeting yesterday, we had quite a long time with President Zelensky, then President Macron and President Trump on the phone.
“We’ve now agreed that the United Kingdom, along with France and possibly one or two others, will work with Ukraine on a plan to stop the fighting, and then we’ll discuss that plan with the United States.”
Sir Keir said he trusts both Volodymyr Zelensky and Donald Trump. Asked if he trusted the two leaders, he responded “yes, I do” to both questions.
Pressed on why he trusts the US President, he said: “Because I’ve spoken to him a number of times. I’ve got to know him. I’ve had extensive discussions with him and I believe his motivation is lasting peace.”
He added: “If the central question you’re putting to me is do I trust Donald Trump when he says he wants lasting peace? The answer to that question is yes.
“But, also, take a step back, the relationship between the US and the UK is the closest relationship of any two countries in the world, our defence, our security, our intelligence, are bound up one with another in a way that is not seen anywhere else in the world.”
Asked if he would trust Vladimir Putin, he said: “Well, no, I wouldn’t trust Putin, which is why I want a security guarantee."
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