Kyiv: UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has arrived in Kyiv, joining world leaders to pressure Russia into accepting a 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine. The coordinated visit aims to support peace efforts and demonstrate solidarity with Ukraine.
Sir Keir travelled with French President Emmanuel Macron and Germany’s new Chancellor, Friedrich Merz. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk has also joined the high-level group. This marks Sir Keir’s second trip to Ukraine as UK Prime Minister.
The leaders are supporting a 30-day ceasefire proposal originally put forward by US President Donald Trump. This initiative related to 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine aims to halt hostilities and pave the way for peace talks. Their joint appearance in Kyiv is considered as a direct response to the more than 20 world leaders who recently gathered in Moscow for Russia’s Victory Day.
During the visit, the four leaders will meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and take part in a virtual session of the ‘coalition of the willing’. This group of roughly 30 mainly European nations is working to secure Ukraine’s future if a peace agreement is reached.
Following a phone call with President Zelensky, Trump reiterated his proposal. ”If the ceasefire is not respected, the US and its partners will impose further sanctions,” Trump posted on Truth Social. German Chancellor Merz expressed hope that a full ceasefire could be reached soon. “The ball is now entirely in Moscow’s court,” Merz stated.
Joint statement by leaders regarding 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine
In a joint statement released ahead of their arrival,the leaders said that,”We, the leaders of France, Germany, Poland, and the United Kingdom will stand in Kyiv in solidarity with Ukraine against Russia’s barbaric and illegal full-scale invasion. We reiterate our backing for President Trump’s calls for a peace deal and call on Russia to stop obstructing efforts to secure an enduring peace.”
According to the joint statement, “Alongside the US, we call on Russia to agree a full and unconditional 30-day ceasefire to create the space for talks on a just and lasting peace. We are ready to support peace talks as soon as possible, to discuss technical implementation of the ceasefire, and prepare for a full peace deal.”
“We are clear the bloodshed must end, Russia must stop its illegal invasion, and Ukraine must be able to prosper as a safe, secure and sovereign nation within its internationally recognised borders for generations to come. We will continue to increase our support for Ukraine. Until Russia agrees to an enduring ceasefire, we will ratchet up pressure on Russia’s war machine,” the leaders added.
Russia declared a three-day unilateral ceasefire to mark World War Two Victory Day. Ukraine dismissed it as a ‘theatrical show.’ Kyiv officials accused Russia of launching thousands of attacks during the declared truce. Russia insists it has observed the ceasefire and accuses Ukraine of hundreds of violations.
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