UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has confirmed he will speak with former US President Donald Trump in the coming days about a controversial peace plan for Ukraine that has drawn criticism from Western allies.
International Concerns Over US Proposal
The Prime Minister revealed his intention to engage with Mr Trump while attending the G20 summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, which the former US president chose not to attend. Sir Keir is also expected to speak with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky later today.
The 28-point peace plan, drafted secretly by US and Russian officials, has raised significant concerns among Ukraine's allies. Key objections include proposals that would limit Ukraine's armed forces, require territorial concessions, and block the country's path to NATO membership.
Following a meeting with France's President Emmanuel Macron at the summit, Sir Keir told reporters: "We are concerned about caps on military because it's fundamental that Ukraine has to be able to defend itself if there's a ceasefire."
Emergency Talks in Switzerland
The diplomatic activity comes ahead of crucial talks scheduled for Sunday in Geneva, where US, Ukrainian and European national security advisers will gather to examine the proposed peace agreement in detail.
UK National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell has already left the G20 summit early to attend the Switzerland meeting, underscoring the urgency with which Britain is treating these discussions.
The joint statement issued by Sir Keir and President Macron described the US-drafted plan as "a basis which will require additional work," indicating significant revisions are expected before any agreement could be considered.
Pressure Mounts Amid Trump's Deadline
Mr Trump has demanded a response to his peace plan from Ukraine by Thursday, though he has suggested an extension might be possible. When questioned about whether this timeframe is realistic, Sir Keir responded cautiously.
"Obviously, I think it should be done as soon as possible, but it's got to be a just and lasting peace, and so we've got to get it right," the Prime Minister stated. "I think we'll be in a better position to know once the meeting in Geneva has taken place tomorrow."
The peace negotiations have been led by Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff and Kremlin representative Kirill Dmitriev, notably excluding both Ukrainian and European officials from the initial drafting process.
Meanwhile, President Zelensky assured his nation in a video address that Ukrainian representatives at the Switzerland talks "know how to protect Ukrainian national interests and exactly what is needed to prevent Russia from carrying out" another invasion. He emphasised that "real peace is always based on security and justice."
