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Leaders of around 25 countries agreed to step up pressure to support Ukraine’s ceasefire on Russia, but the UK’s Kiel priority party acknowledged that the US is not ready to offer a military “backstop” to ensure it continues.
On Saturday, the priority was held a video conference where groups of European countries agreed to strengthen military support for Ukraine, increase Moscow’s sanctions and force Russian President Vladimir Putin to serious peace talks.
“Yes, but… “It’s not enough,” Starmer said.
Speaking on Downing Street, Starmer confirmed that Russian groups would “double collapse and increase sanctions,” including considering options to seize Russian assets and increase the number of pressure on Putin.
However, the priority refused to say which countries have pledged to send troops to Ukraine to secure a peace deal, and acknowledged that US President Donald Trump still refuses to provide a security backstop.
“The status of the United States has not changed,” said the star. “We make it clear that this must be done in collaboration with the US,” he said the UK is telling the US every day.
The priority was to launch what was called Willing’s Union at the London Summit two weeks ago.
Most of the countries on Saturday’s phone call came from Europe, but participants also included Australia, Canada and New Zealand. The EU and NATO were represented and said that priorities were provided with “support” although Japan had not made the call.
The UK and France are the only countries that have firmly committed themselves to sending troops to Ukraine to guarantee a peace deal, but others are open to that idea. Some provide financial or logistical support.
“My feelings are, sooner or later Putin will have to come to the table and engage in serious discussions,” Starmer said at the start of the video call Saturday, adding, “The ball is on his court.”
“But this is a big deal, but for us at this morning’s meeting, we can’t sit down and wait for it to happen. We have to keep moving forward, move forward, prepare for peace.”
Starmer said at the meeting that the time has come for less talk and “concrete commitments,” and argued at a press conference after a lecture that progress has been made in many areas.
Leaders agreed to prepare troops for the peace agreement to be sent to Ukraine to act as a “robust” guarantee, and held discussions at the military level to be held in London on Thursday.
Priority said leaders agreed to increase financial and military support for Ukraine not only in the short term but also in the long term, and to help Kiev provide their own security assurances.
He emphasized the need for us to support peacekeeping operations, saying the risk is “repeated experiences in recent years, Russia will break the line again.”
He also confirmed that leaders discussed strengthening sanctions if Putin does not agree to a ceasefire. Downing Street said it is being considered to seize frozen Russian assets of more than 20 billion euros.
Number 10 acknowledged that seizing Russian assets is a “complex situation” rather than using the interest that arose from them to support Ukraine, as is now.
Priorities said in a statement after the meeting on Saturday that the leader “continue to explore all legal routes to ensure that Russia pays for the damage it has inflicted on Ukraine.”
France and Germany, which have long opposed the full-scale seizure of assets held in the EU, are warming up the idea, debating Britain and other ways that could be used as part of negotiations to end the war.
The UK and France have offered to put their troops on the ground to help ensure peace, but other countries are more reluctant to violate direct military support only if the first 30-day ceasefire is held.
Starmer told the meeting that the “Joyful Union” would help “monitor the ceasefire” during the proposed 30-day truce. That would include satellites and surveillance rather than initially deploying the troops into Ukraine, British officials said.
Countries, including Germany and Poland, have reserved for sending troops to Ukraine. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said that “there is no possibility of military force on the ground” and that Italy is not expected to participate.
European Commission Chairman Ursula von der Leyen said the ball was in Putin’s court. “In the meantime, we will help strengthen Ukraine and its military,” she said.
“We will strengthen our European defence efforts through Reim Europe,” she added, referring to the new Brussels initiative aimed at increasing defense spending.
Additional reports by Amy Casmin of Rome and Henry Foy of Brussels
