Sir Keir Starmer said the outcome of Ukraine’s negotiations among allies in Kiev marked a “important moment” to secure a ceasefire in the conflict with Russia, but admitted that it was not an “end process”.
The British Prime Minister spoke to Kyiv’s BBC at a virtual meeting.
About 30 global leaders have re-called for Russia to agree to an unconditional ceasefire of 30 days since Monday and threatened to threaten “massive” sanctions if not complying.
Sir Kyle noted other conflicts, including the Indian-Pakistan hostilities, saying “we live in an uncertain world” and “requires leadership to strengthen”.
The British Prime Minister attended the meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, which was chaired by Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Zelensky.
Other members of the Voluntary Alliance participated in remote participation, including Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte.
After the meeting, on a call with Donald Trump, the U.S. president reportedly reiterated his support for the ceasefire as Vladimir Putin rejected his initial proposal in March.
Sir Kyle said Trump “absolutely knew that this was a requirement that had to be met.”
Kiev’s leaders warn that “new and large-scale” sanctions would be imposed on Russia’s energy and banking sector if Putin disagrees with an unconditional 30-day ceasefire “in the air, at sea and on land.”
Sir Kyle told the BBC that “material progress” had been made during the conference.
“We have been able to collectively reach a better position and a more unified position, which makes the ceasefire prospects better,” he said.
“Your needs are unified, but if the demand is not met, what will the response be. We haven’t seen this unity in this conflict.”
He added: “I won’t pretend that this is the end of the process, but it’s a big moment when we need to move on and make sure it happens now.”
The prime minister said further coordinated sanctions on Russian oil, fossil fuels and other assets would create “material differences”.
The Kremlin’s reaction to the proposal was accusing European leaders of making “contradictory” and “general confrontational” remarks against Russia.
Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov said Ukraine’s allies must stop sending weapons to Ukraine before any ceasefires occur – European leaders refused – and later said Russia would consider the proposal.
“We have to think about it. This is a new development,” state-run Russian news agency Tass reported.
The Kiev Conference was a symbolic performance in support of Ukraine. 20 world leaders join Putin’s Moscow For Russia’s World War II Victory Day parade.
A large-scale military parade was held in Moscow’s Red Square to mark the 1945 Nazi Germany defeat, including Xi Jinping of China, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, a member of the EU, attended.
“It was a very important, symbolic day in Kiev, as there was a publicity campaign in Moscow yesterday,” Sir Kyle told the BBC.
“For 80 years from the day, we are very important here today…prove that the values that supported the fight 80 years ago are now the same values.”
Asked if he was “fearing the state of the world” like the rest of the UK – in view of the conflict between the Middle East and India – Pakistan – Sir Kyle said: “We live in an uncertain world, we are in different eras of defense and security”.
But he said that it didn’t get him up at night. “Because I’m very important to focus on what I can do – bringing people together and making important steps today to make sure we are preparing with Ukraine for what might happen next.”
The so-called Britain and France establish “will alliance” Strengthen the final peace agreement with security assurance, including peacekeeping forces in Ukraine.
