Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, alongside key European allies, has issued a stark warning to Vladimir Putin, calling for an immediate 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine or face severe new sanctions and expanded military support for Kyiv. Speaking from the Ukrainian capital during a joint visit with French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Sir Keir said the leaders were “calling out” the Russian president with the backing of former US President Donald Trump. “If [Putin] is serious about peace, he has a chance to show it now,” Starmer stated, emphasising that no preconditions should hinder a ceasefire.
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The leaders’ show of unity follows a shift in rhetoric from Trump, who now supports increased pressure on Moscow after his recent meeting with President Zelensky in Washington. Sir Keir pointed out that Putin had previously ordered a ceasefire for a military parade without extra demands, stating that “he does not need them now”. He added that failure to agree to the proposed truce would lead to intensified military aid for Ukraine, pushing Russia back to the negotiating table. According to UK officials, a 20-minute call with Trump, though unscheduled, was described as “warm” and confirmed transatlantic consensus on next steps.
The joint leaders also declared that, during the 30-day truce, terms for a broader peace deal would be negotiated. However, Dmitry Medvedev, former Russian president and a frequent Kremlin mouthpiece, responded with vulgar disdain on social media, mocking the proposal. Sir Keir dismissed the outburst and instead highlighted the strength of the allied response. “This is the greatest unity we’ve seen in modern times between Europe and the US,” he said, outlining plans for post-conflict recovery that include restarting commercial flights and bolstering Ukraine’s economy.
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Their visit culminated in a symbolic ceremony in Kyiv’s Independence Square, where the leaders joined President Zelensky and First Lady Olena Zelenska in paying tribute to fallen Ukrainian soldiers on the 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War in Europe. It marked Chancellor Merz’s first official trip to Ukraine. Meanwhile, Lord Peter Mandelson, the UK’s ambassador to Washington, told the BBC that Britain had helped influence Trump’s evolving position on Ukraine, noting recent shifts in his tone and strategy.
