UK and France to Develop a Peace Plan for Ukraine, Present It to the US, Starmer Says

The United Kingdom and France will collaborate with Ukraine to develop a peace plan, which will then be presented to Washington, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed in an interview with the BBC.

According to The Guardian, this agreement follows discussions between Starmer, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and French President Emmanuel Macron. The British Prime Minister indicated that one or two additional countries might also join the effort.

“I believe we have taken a step in the right direction,” Starmer stated, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that any potential agreement is durable. He noted that past agreements with Russia had been violated, making it crucial to establish long-term guarantees rather than a temporary pause.

“If there is an agreement, if there is a cessation of hostilities, it must be protected. The worst possible outcome would be a temporary pause, only for Putin to return when the opportunity arises,” Starmer said.

The British Prime Minister also addressed the role of the United States, stating that despite former President Donald Trump’s rhetoric, there is an expectation in Washington for a stable and lasting peace in Ukraine. He underscored the importance of a “protective mechanism” backed by the US, along with European security guarantees and a strong Ukrainian defense capability.

“There is an ongoing, intense discussion regarding US security guarantees,” Starmer added, noting that the European contribution to security would also be a key part of the talks.

He reiterated that he does not trust Russian President Vladimir Putin, warning that Moscow could attempt further actions in the future. “That is why security guarantees are critical,” he stated.

Starmer’s comments come ahead of a summit in the UK on March 2, where he will host leaders from over a dozen European nations to discuss Russia’s war against Ukraine and broader European security. The meeting follows two summits organized by Macron in February in Paris.