UK Takes Charge of Ukraine Peace Negotiations
In a significant geopolitical shift, the United Kingdom will assume responsibility for negotiating a peace plan for Ukraine, as announced by Sir Keir Starmer. This development follows a tense confrontation in the Oval Office between Presidents Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky, highlighting the complexities of international diplomacy in the region.
Prime Minister Starmer revealed that the UK, in conjunction with France, is formulating a comprehensive strategy to halt the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. This plan may include the deployment of British troops and fighter jets, and it will be coordinated with the Ukrainian government prior to being presented to the United States. This initiative aims to solidify the UK’s role as a pivotal player in resolving the war, especially as other major powers appear to be distancing themselves from both the US and Ukraine.
In a display of solidarity, President Zelensky was granted a meeting with King Charles III, which included a warm embrace with Prime Minister Starmer outside of Downing Street. However, the UK’s ambassador to Washington, Peter Mandelson, has urged Zelensky to finalize a mineral deal with Trump, which remained unsigned following Trump’s departure from the White House. He also suggested that Ukraine should consider offering a ceasefire, even in the absence of a similar gesture from Russia.
Starmer stated during an interview with the BBC, “We have now reached an agreement that the United Kingdom, along with France and potentially a few other nations, will collaborate with Ukraine on a plan to cease hostilities. After that, we will discuss this plan with the United States.” This proposal emerged during discussions over the weekend, where the Prime Minister spoke with both Emmanuel Macron and Trump, who was briefed on the initiative and reportedly expressed his support.
At the conclusion of a summit in London with European allies and Canada, Starmer emphasized the urgency of forming a “coalition of the willing,” stating, “Those willing will now intensify planning with real urgency.” He reaffirmed the UK’s readiness to contribute boots on the ground and aircraft to support this mission, while underscoring that Europe must take the lead in these efforts. He noted, “To support peace on our continent and ensure success, this initiative must have robust backing from the US. We are in discussions with the US regarding this point following my meeting with President Trump last week.” Any strategy proposed would still require a final endorsement from America.
This announcement represents an effort to revitalize peace negotiations in Ukraine, which had seemingly stalled amid a public dispute in the Oval Office. Vice President JD Vance had accused Zelensky of insufficient gratitude for US support, while Trump warned that Ukraine was “gambling with World War Three.” Starmer dismissed the notion of the US being an “unreliable ally” but emphasized his goal of applying momentum to peace talks. He stated, “I spoke to President Trump last night. I won’t disclose details of that conversation, but I would not pursue this path if I didn’t believe it could yield a positive outcome.”
When asked by The i Paper how he would persuade Russia to agree to a peace deal proposed by the West, the Prime Minister responded, “We cannot approach this based on Russia dictating the terms of any security guarantees before we even reach a deal; otherwise, we will make no progress whatsoever.” He also revealed that the UK would finance the £1.6 billion purchase of 5,000 missiles for Ukraine, which will be manufactured in Belfast and sent to the front lines.
After the meeting at Lancaster House, NATO chief Mark Rutte remarked, “It was a very productive meeting because we see European nations stepping up to ensure that Ukraine possesses what it needs to sustain its fight as long as necessary.” He further stated, “Of course, there is no deal yet, nor a ceasefire, but we must prepare for that moment, ensuring that European countries are ready to assist with security guarantees. I observed several nations at the table, led by the UK and France, eager to contribute, which I believe is critical.”
Several countries are anticipated to announce increases in their defense spending in response to escalating global instability. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau indicated, “It is now essential for nations to significantly bolster their defense budgets… We recognize the need to do more, and we are actively working on that.” Ursula von der Leyen, head of the European Commission, pledged to unveil a comprehensive plan for European rearmament at an upcoming Brussels summit.
Trump’s State Visit Will Proceed
Despite rising calls for cancellation, the UK government is moving forward with plans for a second state visit by Donald Trump. This decision follows Sir Keir Starmer’s recent meeting with Trump in the White House, during which he hand-delivered a letter from King Charles inviting the US President for another state visit. The monarch has proposed that they meet in Scotland, at either Dumfries House or Balmoral Castle, to discuss the details of the trip.
This invitation marks a significant departure from established protocol, as previous US Presidents have not been invited for a second state visit during their second term and typically only return for informal encounters. Trump’s initial state visit to the UK took place in 2019, hosted by Queen Elizabeth II. Starmer responded to demands for the visit’s cancellation, asserting that his focus is on “bridge-building” and mending relationships to foster lasting peace in Europe. He stated, “I’ve seen individuals escalating rhetoric and taking to social media to express what they would do – good for them, but I am not particularly interested in that.”
The Scottish National Party (SNP) has been at the forefront of calls for the visit to be abandoned, with party leader John Swinney asserting that it could not proceed if Trump is “not a steadfast ally of ours in safeguarding Ukraine’s future.” Furthermore, other voices have echoed the call for cancellation, with shadow minister Alicia Kearns stating on X, “State visits should be conferred to the most honorable of allies, not merely to curry favor.” Starmer acknowledged that not every ally would be able to play an active role in the coalition supporting Ukraine, but he added, “I firmly believe that unless we make progress, we will remain in our current predicament and be unable to advance.”
Macron has also committed to sending troops to enforce a potential peace agreement if necessary, while the stance of several other leaders remains uncertain. The London summit included Olaf Scholz, the Chancellor of Germany, who recently lost his re-election bid but has not yet been officially replaced. Friedrich Merz, the likely successor, has not clarified his position on Ukraine’s next steps.
During one-on-one discussions with Starmer at Downing Street, Giorgia Meloni of Italy remarked that “the UK and Italy can play a crucial role in bridge-building.” Starmer’s summit included 18 world leaders convened to deliberate on peace initiatives for Ukraine. In a related interview on US television, Mandelson urged Zelensky to commit to a ceasefire preemptively, even before Vladimir Putin, to pressure the Russian leader into action.
Mandelson’s comments suggest that the UK government is keen to encourage Ukraine’s President to find common ground, despite publicly demonstrating unwavering support. He articulated on the ABC network, “A radical reset is imperative, consisting of the United States and Ukraine realigning their objectives, and President Zelensky must unequivocally support the initiative President Trump is championing to end the war and establish a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.” He added that “the Europeans too must rally behind the call for a ceasefire, and Ukraine should be the first to commit to such a ceasefire, challenging the Russians to follow suit.”
He further emphasized the necessity for European and other countries to consider deploying forces on the ground to ensure long-term security and deterrence for Ukraine. Mandelson noted, “The initial step for President Zelensky is to clearly express his commitment to the initiative that President Trump is advocating. This approach would benefit Ukraine by facilitating a deal that allows the US to exploit its mineral reserves.” He concluded by stating, “This would also secure the United States’ stake in Ukraine’s future, creating a vested interest for the US to protect Ukraine and prevent future conflicts.”
NATO Concerns Following Musk’s Comments
Amid growing anxieties regarding the future of NATO, Elon Musk, a close ally of Donald Trump, has suggested that the US should withdraw from the defense alliance. His remarks come in the wake of escalating tensions between the US and Europe following a public altercation between Trump and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy. Trump accused Zelenskyy of “gambling with World War Three,” leading to an unresolved meeting that failed to finalize an exchange of mineral rights for additional US military support.
Previously, Trump has advocated for NATO allies to enhance their defense spending, arguing that Europe has become excessively reliant on US assistance. Following the confrontation, Musk, who holds a prominent position in Trump’s administration, shared a post on X by political commentator Gunther Eagleman, who called for the US to exit both the UN and NATO. Musk added his agreement to the post, intensifying concerns among NATO allies.
In response, Starmer emphasized that his primary objective is to mend the rift within the NATO alliance through his recent summit of world leaders. Commenting on the discord between Trump and Zelensky, Starmer remarked, “The key is how we respond to that situation. There are various paths people could take. One involves escalating the rhetoric about how outraged we are, while another is to take action.” He elaborated, “I chose the latter: rolling up my sleeves to communicate with President Trump and President Zelensky, and then inviting President Zelensky for a comprehensive meeting yesterday, which was warmly received, followed by further discussions with Presidents Macron and Trump.” He reiterated, “My driving purpose has been to bridge this divide and refocus our attention on the central issues.”
