British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will inform U.S. President Donald Trump that Ukraine have to be “on the coronary heart” of any peace negotiations, the Prime Minister’s Workplace reported on Feb. 22.
Within the leadup to the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion, Starmer reiterated the U.Okay.’s assist for Ukraine and its dedication to a “simply and enduring” peace in a name with President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The decision got here a day after Trump stated that Zelensky was not necessary in negotiations having beforehand labeled the Ukrainian chief a “dictator.” Trump’s rhetoric and decision-making have alarmed allies, notably after Washington held direct talks with Russia in Saudi Arabia on Feb. 18 with out Ukraine and Europe.
Starmer will go to Washington D.C. within the coming week the place he’ll meet Trump and emphasize that Kyiv “have to be on the coronary heart of any negotiations to finish the conflict.” Defending Ukraine’s sovereignty is “important” to forestall additional Russian aggression, the Prime Minister’s Workplace added.
Trump has repeatedly stated he needs to barter a swift finish to the full-scale conflict. On Feb. 22, the White Home introduced {that a} deal to finish Russia's conflict in opposition to Ukraine may very well be reached as early as this week.
Trump beforehand stated he would "in all probability" meet Putin earlier than the tip of February. Preparations for an in-person assembly between the 2 leaders are already underway, Russia's Deputy Overseas Minister Sergei Ryabkov claimed on Feb. 22.
With U.S. and Russian delegations already assembly in Saudi Arabia, Europe is pushing to not be sidelined from the method. Trump's particular envoy for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, stated on Feb. 15 that Europe won’t be immediately concerned in negotiations, however its pursuits will probably be thought-about.
Starmer has ramped up vocal assist for Kyiv within the final weeks and even stated that British peacekeeping troops may very well be deployed to Ukraine. He additionally referred to as on Trump to offer American navy backing for a proposed European peacekeeping drive in Ukraine, arguing that solely a U.S. safety assure can deter Russia from launching additional aggression.
The Kyiv IndependentOlena Goncharova