UK and France Propose Ceasefire Plan for Ukraine Conflict

In a significant diplomatic move, the United Kingdom and France have announced their intention to develop a ceasefire plan aimed at mitigating the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. This announcement comes from British Prime Minister Keir Starmer during an interview with the BBC, just ahead of the Ukraine Conference, which brings together European and Western leaders in London.

Starmer outlined that the UK, in collaboration with France and potentially one or two other nations, will work alongside Ukraine to formulate a strategy to end hostilities. Following the initial discussions, the plan will be presented to the United States for further dialogue. This development follows a series of talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, French President Emmanuel Macron, and US President Donald Trump.

The British Prime Minister emphasized three essential components that he believes are crucial for achieving a lasting peace: a robust Ukraine capable of defending itself to maintain a strong negotiating position, a European framework that includes security guarantees, and support from the United States. Starmer expressed that any agreement must be reliable, as concerns about the stability of such a deal have been voiced by Zelensky.

Starmer also conveyed his mistrust towards Russian President Vladimir Putin, indicating that security guarantees are imperative. He stated his desire to establish a coalition dedicated to providing concrete European security assurances to Ukraine, describing it as likely an initial coalition of willing nations led by London and Paris. He acknowledged that while he does not intend to criticize any individual countries, it is preferable to act rather than wait for consensus among all European nations.

Commenting on a recent incident at the White House involving Zelensky, Trump, and Vice President Vance, Starmer described the atmosphere as tense and not conducive to productive discussions. He noted that the presence of cameras during the incident added to the discomfort. However, he expressed confidence that Zelensky had not acted improperly during the situation.

Starmer indicated that after the incident, he reached out to the involved parties to address the tensions and refocus on the central issues at hand. He acknowledged the ongoing need to assess whether the US would provide security guarantees and how a potential resolution between Ukraine and Russia could be framed. He remains optimistic that Trump is genuinely committed to achieving a lasting peace.