United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer has reacted to the high-profile meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, stressing that Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy must be central to any peace negotiations.
In a statement released on his verified X handle on Saturday, the Prime Minister praised Trump’s role in moving discussions closer to ending the war, while emphasizing the need for Ukraine’s involvement in the next stage of talks.
“President Trump’s efforts have brought us closer than ever before to ending Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine. His leadership in pursuit of an end to the killing should be commended,” Starmer said.
“While progress has been made, the next step must be further talks involving President Zelenskyy. The path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without him.”
Starmer disclosed that he had spoken earlier in the day with President Zelenskyy, Trump, and other European partners, all of whom expressed readiness to support the next phase of negotiations. He also welcomed U.S. and European openness to provide “robust security guarantees” to Ukraine as part of any potential settlement, describing it as crucial to deterring future Russian aggression.
The Prime Minister added that Britain and its allies will continue to exert pressure on Moscow:
“In the meantime, until he stops his barbaric assault, we will keep tightening the screws on his war machine with even more sanctions, which have already had a punishing impact on the Russian economy and its people.”
Starmer concluded by reaffirming the UK’s long-term commitment to Ukraine, pledging that “our unwavering support for Ukraine will continue as long as it takes.”
The Alaska meeting between Trump and Putin, while described as “productive,” ended without a formal agreement to halt the conflict, leaving the international community awaiting the next steps in the search for peace.
Credit: @Keir_Starmer via X.
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