In a sharp rebuke on Friday, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of undermining efforts to secure a ceasefire in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. His comments came after Putin raised concerns about the feasibility of a proposed 30-day ceasefire put forward by the Trump administration, questioning its effectiveness.
Starmer, in statements released by his Downing Street office, asserted that the international community could not allow Putin to dismiss the US-led ceasefire initiative. “We can’t allow President Putin to play games with President Trump’s deal,” Starmer said. “The Kremlin’s complete disregard for President Trump’s ceasefire proposal only serves to demonstrate that Putin is not serious about peace.”
According to the British Prime Minister, Putin’s actions indicate a deliberate attempt to delay any meaningful ceasefire, which has only deepened the skepticism surrounding Moscow’s commitment to ending the conflict.
Starmer is now focused on rallying European and NATO leaders to support Ukraine more effectively. This comes as he prepares for a virtual summit on Saturday to discuss how they can enhance their contributions to Ukraine’s defense and security.
Alongside French President Emmanuel Macron, Starmer has been spearheading efforts to form a “coalition of the willing.” This group aims to provide Ukraine with the necessary security guarantees and bolster efforts to deter Putin from breaching any ceasefire agreement. This coalition has been described as essential to ensuring Ukraine’s safety, with both leaders offering to send British and French troops to the region. However, it remains uncertain whether other nations will be willing to make similar commitments.
While some nations, such as Turkey, have expressed interest in participating in peacekeeping operations, Ireland’s Prime Minister Micheál Martin has firmly stated that Irish troops would not be deployed in any peacekeeping or deterrent capacity.
As the conflict continues, the international community’s pressure on Putin to engage in peace talks remains a pivotal point in the struggle to end the war in Ukraine.
- Source: ALARABIYA NEWS
