15.03.2025 20:50
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated in a statement following the Ukraine Summit that European countries have agreed to move to an operational phase against Russia. Starmer mentioned that they will come together in the UK this week to prepare a plan, saying, "Leave behind empty words and conditions. My message is clear: whether early or late, Putin will have to come to the table."
As the uncertainty of a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia continues, the UK has organized an online Ukraine Summit. The online summit, attended by 26 countries allied with Ukraine, addressed arrangements regarding Ukraine's security and further sanctions against Russia. Following the summit, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer held a press conference, stating that Ukraine is "unequivocally" on the side of peace and that Russian President Vladimir Putin is trying to delay the ceasefire.
UK PRIME MINISTER: PUTIN WILL HAVE TO COME TO THE TABLE Calling on world countries for a ceasefire, Starmer said, "The world must take action. Leave behind empty words and conditions. My message is clear, whether early or late, Putin will have to come to the table." Starmer noted that the chaos caused by Russia has also affected people in the UK.
Speaking about the summit, Starmer stated, "The willing coalition brought together partners from the European Union (EU), Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, and received support from other countries, including Japan." Emphasizing that the efforts of supporting countries must continue, Starmer said, "We agreed to continue to increase pressure on Russia, maintain the flow of military aid to Ukraine, and tighten restrictions on the Russian economy to weaken Putin's war machine and bring him to the table."
"OUR SOLDIERS WILL MEET THIS WEEK" Starmer conveyed that it is time to accelerate the practical work needed to move towards a peace agreement, stating, "Our soldiers will meet in the UK this Thursday to prepare strong and solid plans to stand behind the peace agreement and guarantee Ukraine's future security. President Trump proposed a path to a lasting peace to Putin. Now we must turn this into reality."
Starmer indicated that there is no alternative to "US support" to deter Putin from attacking again. He stated that Washington's forces and infrastructure are the backbone of the Western NATO alliance, saying, "This needs to be done in conjunction with the United States. We talk to the US every day."
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer "WE AGREED TO MOVE TO THE OPERATIONAL PHASE" In response to a question about the concrete commitments made at today's summit, Starmer said that much has changed since the meeting with European leaders two weeks ago regarding Ukraine's future, and that the group that met this morning is a "larger group" than the one from two weeks ago. The UK Prime Minister stated, "We have a stronger collective determination. New commitments were put on the table this morning. Countries agreed that we need to move to the operational phase. We have gained political and military momentum."
Emphasizing that it is time to exert maximum pressure on Russia, Starmer said, "At today's summit, we discussed ways to increase Ukraine's military capacity both in the short and long term. This will apply pressure on Russia. We also discussed how much tighter the sanctions on Russia can be and whether frozen assets of Russia can be seized."
"IF WE PRESSURE PUTIN, WE CAN BRING HIM TO THE TABLE" During the press conference, Starmer noted that more can be done regarding Russian assets, stating, "If we apply pressure on Putin, show collective determination and clear leadership on this, we can move this forward and bring the parties to the table for negotiations."
"PEACE IN UKRAINE IS CRUCIAL FOR EUROPE'S SECURITY" Starmer remarked that the outcome of the ceasefire talks should be a "fair and lasting peace" that everyone, especially Ukrainians, desires, stating, "Peace in Ukraine is crucial for the defense and security of Europe and the UK, because whatever happens in Europe always reaches our shores."
"RUSSIA MUST RESPOND CLEARLY" French President Emmanuel Macron, after the meeting, stated, "Russia does not give the impression that it seriously wants peace." He reported that instead of responding to the US-led proposal, it has intensified its attack, saying, "President Putin wants to negotiate only after getting everything. If we want peace, Russia must respond clearly, and the pressure must be clear, which should be done in coordination with the US, so that a ceasefire can be achieved."
In a statement made by the Italian Prime Minister's office, it was noted that "Prime Minister Meloni confirmed Italy's intention to continue working with Europe, Western partners, and the United States to define reliable and effective security guarantees, and reiterated that national participation in a possible ground military force is not foreseen."