Keir Starmer engaged in discussions with Donald Trump regarding the contentious Ukraine peace proposal today, expressing reservations about its current state. President Trump issued a deadline to Ukraine to respond to the deal aiming to resolve the conflict with Russia, but the Prime Minister and other global leaders highlighted the need for further refinement in the plan, which includes territorial concessions and reductions in Kyiv’s military strength.
Following the talks held among Coalition of the Willing partners at the G20 summit, Starmer and Trump decided that their teams would collaborate on refining the peace initiative on Sunday, with plans for further discussions. The UK Prime Minister also conferred with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy earlier in the day to update him on the negotiations and reaffirm the UK’s backing.
In a joint statement issued by Starmer and fellow G7 leaders, excluding the US, the emphasis was placed on the importance of not altering borders through force. A Downing Street spokesperson revealed that during the conversation with Trump, the Prime Minister relayed ongoing deliberations among the Coalition of the Willing partners at the G20 summit, leading to an agreement for joint efforts on the 28-point US peace plan in Geneva the following day. Trump and Starmer are scheduled to reconnect on Sunday.
During a briefing in Johannesburg, the PM mentioned his upcoming conversation with the US President, indicating a focus on imminent discussions in Geneva over a visit to Washington DC. Notably, officials from the US and Ukraine are set to engage in urgent discussions in Switzerland, with high-level representatives present, including the US president’s special envoy and the UK’s National Security Adviser.
Trump has set a strict deadline of November 27 for Ukraine to respond to his proposal, coinciding with Thanksgiving in the US. The 28-point plan, aimed at ending Russian aggression, has raised concerns in Kyiv and European capitals, with Zelenskyy highlighting the delicate balance between Ukraine’s sovereignty and critical US support.
The plan involves contentious elements such as territorial transfers to Russia and limitations on Ukraine’s armed forces, prompting skepticism from various leaders, including former British Army commander Hamish de Bretton-Gordon. While Putin cautiously welcomed the US proposal, stating its potential as a foundation for a final peace settlement, concerns persist over the plan’s implications and the need for extensive revisions, as reiterated by Starmer and other European and international leaders.