United Kingdom, France, Ukraine and other countries are developing a plan for a ceasefire that will be presented to the United States.
The British Prime Minister defended on Sunday that allies should continue military support to Ukraine and maintain sanctions against Russia while working in a “coalition” of countries willing to integrate a peacekeeping force.
At a press conference at the end of a summit that took place this Sunday in London, Keir Strmer said the international community is “at a crossroads of history.”
“This is not a time for more conversation. It is time to act, take the lead and to join a new plan for just and lasting peace,” he said.
Stmerer confirmed that the United Kingdom, France, Ukraine, along with other countries that has not specified, are developing a plan for a ceasefire that will later be presented to the United States.
“The purpose of today’s meeting was to unite our partners around this effort to strengthen Ukraine and support just and lasting peace for the good of us all. Our starting point should be to put Ukraine as strong as possible so that it can negotiate from a power position, and we are reinforcing our support,” he said.
Stmerer listed four conclusions, namely the maintenance of the flow of military aid and increasing economic pressure on Russia, as well as the position that Ukraine must be involved in any peace negotiations.
“Third, in the event of a peace agreement, we will continue to reinforce Ukraine’s own defensive abilities to determine any future invasion,” he continued.
Finally, he said that the discussions will continue to develop a “coalition of [países] volunteers ” [coalition of the willing] to defend a peace agreement in Ukraine.
“Not all nations will be able to contribute, but this cannot mean that we are crossed. Those who are willing to contribute to intensifying planning now, and the UK is prepared to support this initiative with boots on the ground (soldiers) and air aircraft,” he emphasized.
Starmer refused to reveal which other countries will be part of this “coalition,” but said “several indicated that they want to be part.”
“Europe must do the hard work, but to support peace on our continent and to be successful, this effort must have strong US support. We are working with the US at this point,” he said.
Organized by the United Kingdom, the summit on European security brought together leaders from Ukraine, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Norway, Canada, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Czech Republic, Poland, Romania.
Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan also participated, as well as NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, European Council President António Costa and European Commission Chairman Ursula Von Der Leyen.
