The UK, France and Ukraine will work on a ceasefire plan to present to the United States, the prime minister has said, in the wake of Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s White House clash with Donald Trump.
Sir Keir Starmer, who visited Washington on Thursday, said he believes Mr Trump does want a “lasting peace” between Russia and Ukraine.
He also said Europe was in a “moment of real fragility” and added that he would not trust the word of Vladimir Putin.
Referring to the argument in the White House’s Oval Office on Thursday between Mr Trump, US vice president JD Vance and Ukrainian president Mr Zelenskyy, the PM said it made him feel “uncomfortable”.
“Nobody wants to see that,” he told the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg.
He added: “We have to find a way that we can all work together. Because, in the end, we’ve had three years of bloody conflict. Now, we need to get to that lasting peace.”
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On Mr Trump, he said: “I am clear in my mind that he does want a lasting peace.”
Asked why that is the case, he said: “Because I’ve spoken to him a number of times. I’ve got to know him. I’ve had extensive discussions with him and I believe his motivation is lasting peace.”
He added: “If the central question you’re putting to me is do I trust Donald Trump when he says he wants lasting peace? The answer to that question is yes.”
The PM said he was still pushing for a US “backstop” on Ukrainian security, adding that it was the subject of “intense” discussion.
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He said the “components of a lasting peace” included a “strong Ukraine to fight on, if necessary, to be in a position of strength”.
He is also pursuing a “European element to security guarantees”.
“That’s why I’ve been forward-leaning on this about what we would do – and a US backstop,” he said.
“That’s the package: all three parts need to be in place, and that’s what I’m working hard to bring together.”
Asked if he would trust Vladimir Putin, Sir Keir said: “Well, no, I wouldn’t trust Putin, which is why I want a security guarantee.
“I wouldn’t trust him not to come again, because he’s proven that he will come again. He’s already done it and we know what his ambitions are.”
