Diplomatic Efforts to Restore Peace in Ukraine
Frantic diplomatic maneuvers aimed at salvaging a peace agreement in Ukraine seem to be gaining momentum following President Volodymyr Zelensky’s call for a truce in the ongoing conflict. In a surprising turn, he expressed a desire to “make things right” with former President Donald Trump. Just hours after the White House decided to pause military aid to Ukraine amid its struggle against Russia, Zelensky described the recent tensions with Trump and his deputy, JD Vance, as “regrettable.” He also indicated that his administration is prepared to finalize a significant agreement regarding mineral resources with Washington.
In an extraordinary 24-hour period of diplomatic communications, Sir Keir Starmer was at the center of efforts to mediate the situation. The Prime Minister engaged in discussions with Trump on Monday evening and spoke with Zelensky on Tuesday afternoon, talks which are believed to have been crucial in moving forward. Zelensky’s apparent retreat from previous positions came just moments after he communicated with Starmer, who is keen to facilitate a reconciliation between Kyiv and the White House to mend their fractured relationship.
A senior government official noted, “We are actively working to bridge the divide between the US and Ukraine, and we will continue these efforts behind the scenes.” Starmer is reportedly optimistic that Zelensky’s recent comments will be well-received by Trump, with plans for further discussions in the near future. While Zelensky’s statement did not constitute a full apology, it is hoped that his expression of regret, gratitude for US military support, and readiness to secure the multi-billion-pound minerals deal with Trump, alongside a peace framework, will be sufficient to appease the White House.
Later, Zelensky took to Twitter to share that he had spoken with Starmer and expressed his gratitude for the support and advice during this challenging period. The decision by Washington to suspend military aid, which constitutes approximately 20% of Ukraine’s external support, was another setback for a delicate peace process. However, Starmer, who recently assumed leadership in seeking a peace initiative alongside French President Emmanuel Macron, stressed the importance of US security guarantees during his conversation with Trump.
UK Considers Seizing Russian Assets for Ukraine
The United Kingdom is exploring the possibility of seizing Russian assets that have been frozen due to sanctions, potentially using them to fund Ukraine’s defense efforts, ministers have confirmed. While this plan is also under consideration by several European allies, it raises concerns about compliance with international law and the implications for Britain’s reputation as an investment destination. In response to Rishi Sunak’s comments in the House of Commons, Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves expressed openness to the idea, stating, “The Chancellor has rightly maintained our policy of utilizing the interest from frozen Russian state assets to support Ukraine, but I believe now is the time to take further action by actually seizing those assets.”
Reeves acknowledged the complexities of such a move concerning international legal frameworks but emphasized, “We must keep all options on the table because, as he rightly pointed out, Russia must be held accountable for the damage it has caused.” A spokesman from Downing Street remarked that it was “time to explore what options may be available.” Meanwhile, Foreign Secretary David Lammy held discussions with his US counterpart Marco Rubio, while Defence Secretary John Healey prepared for talks with his American counterpart, Pete Hegseth, in Washington.
A Downing Street spokesperson stated, “The Prime Minister updated President Zelensky on his recent conversation with President Trump. It is essential for all involved to strive for a lasting and secure peace for Ukraine as swiftly as possible. The Prime Minister commended President Zelensky’s unwavering commitment to achieving peace in light of his recent calls for enhanced diplomatic efforts to terminate the war promptly.” In his statement on social media platform X, Zelensky reiterated Ukraine’s dedication to peace, stating, “None of us desires an unending conflict. Ukraine stands ready to engage in negotiations at the earliest opportunity to bring about lasting peace. Ukrainians yearn for peace more than anyone else.”
Vance’s Controversial Remarks Draw Criticism
US Vice President JD Vance has faced significant backlash from various corners of the British political landscape after his remarks appeared to downplay the UK’s contributions to Western military efforts over recent decades. Vance suggested that Ukraine’s security could not rely on “20,000 troops from some random country that hasn’t fought a war in 20 or 30 years,” a comment that followed discussions led by Britain and France regarding a Europe-wide peacekeeping initiative.
- Members of Parliament from across the political spectrum condemned Vance’s comments, although he insisted that he did not intend to belittle the UK’s role.
- Downing Street issued an implicit reprimand to Vance, despite Starmer’s attempts to maintain amicable relations with the White House.
Vance made these remarks during a Fox News interview, asserting that the US remains pivotal to Ukraine’s future security. He argued, “If you want genuine security guarantees to prevent Vladimir Putin from invading Ukraine again, the best way to ensure that is to provide Americans with economic incentives tied to Ukraine’s future.”
His comments were widely interpreted as a slight against the UK and France, both of which have been instrumental in formulating alternative peace proposals for Ukraine. The UK has supported US military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan since 2001, resulting in the loss of over 600 British service members. Labour MP Sean Woodcock described Vance’s remarks as “shameful ignorance” given the sacrifices made by British personnel alongside US allies. James Cleverly, the former Conservative foreign secretary, labeled Vance’s comments as “foolish and insulting” while acknowledging that they were thoughtless. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, a close associate of Trump, criticized Vance, asserting, “JD Vance is mistaken. For 20 years in Afghanistan, proportionally to our size compared to America’s, we invested the same resources and suffered similar losses.”
A spokesperson for Starmer emphasized, “The Prime Minister, along with the entire nation, holds immense admiration for the British troops who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan, many of whom made the ultimate sacrifice while fighting alongside allies, including the United States.” Vance defended himself, stating, “It is absurdly dishonest to claim that I downplayed the valor of British or French troops. I never even mentioned the UK or France in the clip, both of whom have fought bravely alongside the US over the last two decades and beyond.”
Zelensky has expressed eagerness to expedite the peace process, stating, “We are ready to act swiftly to conclude the war, with initial steps potentially involving the release of prisoners and a ceasefire regarding aerial attacks—specifically, a ban on missiles, long-range drones, and bombings targeting civilian infrastructure. We aim to establish a ceasefire at sea promptly, contingent upon Russia reciprocating. Following that, we aspire to swiftly progress through the subsequent stages and collaborate with the US to finalize a robust agreement.”
Zelensky also conveyed appreciation for the military support received from the US over the past three years, including the provision of Javelin anti-tank missiles, a subject Trump had raised during their recent Oval Office confrontation. He stated, “We genuinely value the contributions America has made to help Ukraine maintain its sovereignty and independence. We remember the pivotal moment when President Trump provided Ukraine with Javelins, for which we are grateful.”
Reflecting on the recent meeting in Washington, Zelensky remarked, “Our meeting at the White House last Friday did not unfold as anticipated. It is regrettable that it occurred that way. It is crucial that we rectify this situation. We are eager for constructive future cooperation and communication.” Regarding the minerals and security agreement, he asserted, “Ukraine is prepared to sign it at any time and in any format that is convenient. We view this agreement as a step toward enhanced security and reliable guarantees, and I sincerely hope it will prove effective.”
