UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated that the “ball is in Russia’s court,” asserting that President Vladimir Putin would “sooner or later” need to “come to the table” following a virtual summit aimed at garnering support for a coalition prepared to safeguard a potential ceasefire in Ukraine.
During the group call hosted by Downing Street with around 26 fellow leaders, the British Prime Minister emphasized the importance of focusing on how to bolster Ukraine, secure any ceasefire, and maintain pressure on Russia.
Mr. Starmer remarked that while Ukraine had demonstrated it was the “party of peace” by agreeing to a 30-day unconditional ceasefire, “Putin is the one trying to delay.”
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Following the discussions, military leaders will reconvene on Thursday in the UK as the coalition transitions into “the operational phase,” Mr. Starmer noted.
“The group that convened this morning is larger than we had two weeks ago, showing a stronger collective resolve and new commitments were made today,” he added.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky cautioned that Russia aimed to establish a “stronger position” militarily before any ceasefire, over three years since its invasion of Ukraine.
Volodymyr Zelensky, seen addressing a press conference after the call.
“They seek to enhance their position on the battlefield,” Mr. Zelensky stated at a press conference in Kyiv.
The ceasefire proposal by the United States comes as Russia appears to have momentum in several areas along the front in Ukraine.
The Russian leader did not commit to the immediate ceasefire suggestion made by the US, instead outlining a series of demands.
Yet, Mr. Zelensky asserted that Mr. Putin is “lying about how a ceasefire is allegedly too complicated.”
‘Just and lasting peace’
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen declared on X, formerly Twitter, that Russia must demonstrate “it is willing to support a ceasefire leading to a just and lasting peace.”
Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof also conveyed on X that it was “now essential to maintain pressure on Russia to engage in negotiations.”
Fighting persisted overnight in the ongoing three-year conflict, with Russia claiming to have captured two additional villages in its Kursk border region, where it has initiated an offensive to reclaim lost territory.
An armored vehicle destroyed by shelling near the town of Sumy in Ukraine.
As efforts towards a ceasefire have intensified, Russia has aimed this week to reclaim a large portion of territory originally seized by Ukraine in western Kursk.
However, Mr. Zelensky denied any assertion of “encirclement” of Ukrainian forces in the Kursk region.
“Our soldiers continue to hold off Russian and North Korean forces in the Kursk area,” he asserted on social media.
The Russian defense ministry confirmed that troops had taken control of the villages of Zaoleshenka and Rubanshchina, located north and west of the town of Sudzha, which Russia recaptured this week.
‘Putin not serious about peace’
In the meantime, Ukraine reported that its air force shot down 130 Iranian-made Russian-launched Shahed drones overnight across 14 regions.
“The Kremlin’s utter disregard for President Trump’s ceasefire proposal solely proves that Putin is not serious about peace,” Mr. Starmer commented yesterday.
Keir Starmer accused Vladimir Putin of attempting to ‘delay’ a ceasefire.
Mr. Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron have been spearheading efforts to form a so-called “coalition of the willing” since Mr. Trump initiated direct talks with Russia last month.
They argue that the group is crucial—along with US support—for providing Ukraine with security guarantees, deterring Mr. Putin from breaching any ceasefire.
Both Mr. Starmer and Mr. Macron expressed their willingness to deploy British and French forces in Ukraine, but it remains uncertain if other nations share the same intent.
‘Stop the violence’
Mr. Macron also urged Russia to embrace the ceasefire proposal and cease making statements intended to “delay the process.”
Germany similarly lambasted Mr. Putin’s response to the US-proposed ceasefire in Ukraine as “at best a delaying tactic.”
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio conveyed yesterday that he was “cautiously optimistic” about reaching a truce but acknowledged that “a lot of work remains to be done.”
Mr. Starmer has expressed his openness to any support for the coalition, hinting that some nations might contribute logistics or surveillance efforts.
Mr. Zelensky seen with Mr. Starmer and Mr. Macron earlier this month.
However, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni reiterated after the call, which she attended, that Italy’s “participation in a possible military force on the ground is not planned.”
Earlier, Mikhail Kasyanov, former Prime Minister under Mr. Putin who now opposes him, indicated that the Russian president would not accept NATO or European troops in Ukraine, although he might consider forces from “friendly countries” like India and Brazil.
Meanwhile, both Russia and Ukraine conducted drone strikes overnight, with each reporting over 100 enemy drones entering their airspaces.
No casualties have been reported, as both countries’ defense ministries announced the downing of approximately 130 enemy drones.
