'No ifs, no buts': Starmer and European leaders 'call out' Putin as they urge Russia to accept 30-day ceasefire
Sir Keir Starmer has called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to show he is "serious about peace" by extending the VE Day pause in fighting to a 30-day unconditional ceasefire with negotiations to follow.
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Speaking after a meeting with European allies in Kyiv, Sir Keir said: "All of us here, together with the US are calling Putin out."
The Prime Minister reiterated his support for Ukraine to get the "just and lasting peace" that it "deserves". He added: "No ifs, not buts."
He warned that the European leaders are all clear, that if Putin rejects peace, they will respond by increasing sanctions on Russia and increasing spending to help Ukraine's defence efforts.
However, recent hours have seen a staunch Russian response, with the Kremlin suggesting the comments by European leaders had a "confrontational" character.
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"We hear many contradictory statements from Europe," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reportedly said.
"They are generally confrontational in nature rather than aimed at trying to revive our relations. Nothing more," he continued.
The Prime Minister has been in the capital alongside French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk for further talks on the so-called “coalition of the willing” with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Sir Keir and the other European leaders updated US President Donald Trump on efforts for peace on a phone call this afternoon.
According to the Ukrainian foreign minister, the proposed ceasefire could start as early as Monday if given the green light.
Sir Keir also said UK experts and European partners are working to “boost Ukraine’s economy” in a bid to support the country’s stability long-term.
The Prime Minister said “securing Ukraine’s future for the longer term” had been discussed, with measures including the resumption of flights to Ukraine.
Sir Keir said: “We want to help Ukraine look to the future with confidence.
“So we’re working to boost Ukraine’s economy and, as a vital step, I’m pleased that UK experts have been on the ground leading work to support the resumption of flights into Ukraine.”
He added: “Once a ceasefire is achieved it will take time but this will be a huge moment in reconnecting Ukraine’s economy, boosting investor confidence, and helping to reunite families separated by this war.
“Ukraine secure and thriving: that is what we all want to see.
“With our 100-year partnership, the critical minerals deal with the US, and our coalition of the willing, we are building the framework for peace in Ukraine to support a better future for the Ukrainian people, and to pledge once again in all our interests and on this anniversary, that aggression will never prevail on our continent.”
Read more: Putin hosts world leaders for Victory Day as Ukraine accuses Russia of breaking ceasefire
Early on Saturday, Zelenskyy welcomed the leaders at Independence Square in Kyiv in the hopes of securing peace in the region.
It is the first time the leaders of the four countries have travelled together to Ukraine, and marks Mr Merz’s first visit since he was elected chancellor on Tuesday.
After arriving in the Ukrainian capital, Sir Keir, Mr Macron, Mr Tusk and Mr Merz joined Mr Zelenskyy and first lady Olena Zelenska to place candles at a makeshift memorial to killed Ukrainian soldiers during a ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe.
In a joint statement before their visit, the leaders said they “will stand in Kyiv in solidarity with Ukraine against Russia’s barbaric and illegal full-scale invasion”.
They added: “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.
“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.”
The meetings in Kyiv come two weeks after Mr Zelenskyy had discussions with a number of world leaders – including Mr Trump and Sir Keir – on the fringes of Pope Francis’s funeral.
Russian President Vladimir Putin declared a 72-hour ceasefire on Thursday to coincide with celebrations marking the 80th anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany.
But his forces have continued offensive operations along the front line as well as air strikes on residential areas, according to Ukrainian officials.