LONDON (AP) 鈥 British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to sign up to a ceasefire in its war against Ukraine now, if he is 鈥渟erious about peace鈥 and said allies will 鈥渒eep the pressure鈥 on the Kremlin.
At the end of a virtual meeting Saturday with allies in what he has termed the 鈥渃oalition of the willing,鈥 Starmer said the Kremlin鈥檚 鈥渄ithering and delay鈥 over U.S. President Donald Trump鈥檚 ceasefire proposal, and Russia鈥檚 鈥渃ontinued barbaric attacks鈥 on Ukraine, 鈥渞un entirely counter鈥 to Putin鈥檚 stated desire for peace.
鈥淚n the event of a ceasefire, we emphasized the need for strong monitoring arrangements, to ensure that any violations of a deal are identified and called out,鈥 he said.
Around 30 leaders were involved in the call, including European partners such as French , and Ukrainian President . Also present were leaders from Australia, Canada and New Zealand, and officials from NATO and the European Union鈥檚 executive, were also due to take part.
The United States was not represented at the meeting.
鈥淲e reaffirmed our commitment to Ukraine鈥檚 long-term security, and agreed that Ukraine must be able to defend itself and deter future Russian aggression,鈥 Starmer said.
He added that 鈥渞obust and credible security arrangements鈥 are the best way to ensure lasting peace in Ukraine, and said military planners would convene again in the U.K. this week to progress practical plans to support Ukraine鈥檚 future security.
鈥淲e will build up Ukraine鈥檚 own defenses and armed forces, and be ready to deploy as a 鈥榗oalition of the willing鈥 in the event of a peace deal, to help secure Ukraine on the land, at sea, and in the sky,鈥 he added.
Saturday鈥檚 meeting takes place in the wake of a U.S. proposal for a 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine, which Ukrainian has backed. Putin has indicated that he but has set out a host of details that need to be clarified before agreeing to a ceasefire.
鈥淧resident Zelensky, who鈥檚 with us this morning, has shown once again that Ukraine is the party of peace, because he has agreed to and committed to a 30-day unconditional ceasefire," Starmer said. 鈥淣ow what we see, and this is centerpiece for our discussions today, is that Putin is the one trying to delay.鈥
The United States has shifted its approach on the war since the return of to the White House. The change of approach relative to that taken by Trump鈥檚 predecessor, Joe Biden, became particularly notable after Zelenskyy on Feb. 28 in the Oval Office.
Trump voiced optimism Friday that Putin, who met with will back a ceasefire.
鈥淚'm getting from the standpoint about a ceasefire and ultimately a deal some pretty good vibes coming out of Russia,鈥 he said.
Starmer has taken the lead, along with Macron, in assembling the 鈥渃oalition of the willing,鈥 in part to persuade Trump to maintain support for Kyiv. One outcome has already been a growing acceptance from European countries in particular that they need to do more to ensure their own security, including by increasing their defense spending.
Ukraine, on parts of the front line three years after Russia鈥檚 full-scale invasion, has already endorsed the truce proposal. Russia鈥檚 army , and analysts say Putin likely will be reluctant to rush into a ceasefire while he feels he has an advantage.
鈥淭he world is watching,鈥 Starmer said.
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John Leicester in Paris contributed to this report.
