UK Prime Minister Starmer Asserts Ukraine Peace Must Not Favor the Aggressor

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UK Prime Minister Starmer Asserts Ukraine Peace Must Not Favor the Aggressor

Synopsis

In a press conference, UK PM Keir Starmer cautioned US President Donald Trump against agreeing to a Ukraine peace deal that rewards Russia. Emphasizing the need for a fair resolution, Starmer stated that the stakes are high and the focus must be on achieving lasting peace without compromising justice.

Key Takeaways

  • Starmer warns against peace deals that reward Russia.
  • Trump emphasizes the urgency of a peace agreement.
  • Both leaders discuss military support for Ukraine.
  • Starmer is open to deploying British troops for security guarantees.
  • Ongoing tensions exist regarding US-Russia negotiations.

Washington, Feb 28 (NationPress) The UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has cautioned US President Donald Trump against endorsing any peace agreement in Ukraine that would reward Russia or its affiliates.

"Mr. President, I appreciate your profound and personal dedication to achieving peace and halting the violence," Starmer stated during a joint press conference following their meeting in the Oval Office on Thursday.

"However, we must ensure it is done correctly. There is a well-known phrase in the UK dating back to the post-World War II era: 'we must win the peace.' This is our current focus, as it cannot be a peace that rewards the aggressor or encourages perilous regimes like Iran," he remarked.

Trump mentioned during the press conference that a peace deal must be finalized swiftly between Ukraine and Russia, or it might not occur "at all."

"I believe we have made significant strides and things are progressing quite quickly," the US President stated.

"It will either happen shortly or not at all," Trump added.

Starmer commended Trump for his "personal commitment to achieving peace" in Ukraine, asserting that the UK is "prepared to deploy troops and aircraft to support a deal."

He emphasized: "Our focus is now on bringing a lasting end to the brutal war in Ukraine. Mr. President, I value your profound personal commitment to achieving peace and stopping the fatalities."

"You have created a moment of tremendous opportunity to secure a historic peace deal. A deal that I believe would be celebrated in Ukraine and across the globe. That is the goal. But we must get it right... ."

"We concur that history must favor the peacemaker, not the invader."

"Thus, the stakes could not be higher."

"We are resolute in our commitment to collaborate in securing a strong deal. We discussed a strategy today to achieve a peace that is both robust and equitable, one that Ukraine will help shape. It must be supported by strength to prevent Putin from returning for more," he stated.

"I am collaborating closely with other European leaders on this, and I am clear that the UK is prepared to deploy troops and aircraft to support a deal. Working in unity with our allies is the only way to ensure lasting peace."

Trump lauded Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as "very brave" and indicated he had a good relationship with him, signaling a willingness to reverse previous comments labeling the Ukrainian leader a dictator.

When asked if he would apologize to Zelensky for those remarks, Trump replied: "I think we are going to have a very productive meeting tomorrow morning. We'll get along really well."

"I have a great deal of respect for him."

He added: "We have provided him with substantial equipment and financial support, but they have fought valiantly; they have truly shown bravery. Someone must utilize that equipment, and they have indeed been very courageous in that regard."

Before their meeting, Trump mentioned a minerals agreement with Ukraine as the security assurance Kyiv requires against Russia, downplaying Starmer's appeal for a commitment of increased US military support.

Starmer, meeting Trump at the White House for the first time since the US leader commenced his second term, charmed the audience, claiming that peace in Ukraine was achievable solely due to Trump.

In the Oval Office, the UK PM presented a letter of invitation from King Charles for a state visit, which Trump accepted, although a date has yet to be established.

However, underlying differences between the allies were evident in the private discussions that ensued, particularly regarding transatlantic tensions over US-Russia negotiations concerning the Ukraine conflict.

Prior to the meeting, Starmer contended that there could be no lasting peace in Ukraine without firm US security assurances—an argument that Trump largely dismissed.

When asked if he could be convinced to offer a security backstop as part of a Ukraine peace agreement, he stated: "President Zelensky is scheduled to meet with me on Friday morning, and we will be signing a very significant agreement for both sides, as it will facilitate our entry into that country."

He added: "It's a backstop, you could say; I don't believe anyone will engage in frivolities if we are there with numerous workers, managing rare earth materials and other necessary resources for our country."

"We greatly appreciate it and I look forward to seeing him. We will discuss it and also cover it today with the Prime Minister."

Starmer is the latest European leader to meet Trump after French President Emmanuel Macron visited the White House on Monday for a cordial meeting that nonetheless highlighted significant differences regarding Russia's war in Ukraine and the US drive for a rapid ceasefire.

Trump, who took office on January 20, has startled traditional US allies in Europe by growing closer to Putin, referring to Zelensky as a "dictator," and demanding compensation for US financial assistance to Kyiv.

Zelensky is anticipated to arrive in Washington on Friday to finalize an agreement with Trump covering rare earth minerals, a deal that the Ukrainian leader indicated would depend on additional US support.

Trump views the arrangement as a means to recover American funds expended in aid to Ukraine. According to a US official, it does not include specific security guarantees for Ukraine.

Starmer has indicated that Britain plans to boost defense spending and is expected to assure the US President that Europe will provide backing and security guarantees to Kyiv if peace discussions with Russia yield positive results.

Putin has cautioned "Western elites" against attempting to undermine a possible reconciliation between Russia and the United States, asserting that Moscow will deploy its diplomats and intelligence resources to thwart such attempts.

The comments seemingly targeted the European Union and Britain.

Starmer has expressed his willingness for British troops to offer security assurances to Ukraine, but only in conjunction with other European nations and under "appropriate conditions."

European countries are apprehensive about the current level of conflict in Ukraine, as noted by the US official, while a ceasefire would provide them with increased confidence that their role is more aligned with peacekeeping than active conflict deterrence.