Prime Minister to Lead Diplomatic Call Following Geneva Breakthrough
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is preparing to host a crucial call with Ukraine's key European allies on Tuesday, in a significant move to coordinate the international response following weekend peace talks. The discussion among the 'coalition of the willing' comes after intense efforts between the United States and Kyiv to broker a potential truce with Russia.
Western Concerns and a Revised Peace Framework
The diplomatic push follows negotiations in Geneva, Switzerland, where Western leaders, including Sir Keir, had previously expressed strong reservations about US President Donald Trump's initial 28-point peace proposal. Key concerns centred on potential caps for Ukraine's armed forces and the ceding of sovereign territory to Russia.
However, a more palatable framework appears to have emerged from the talks. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky indicated that the revised plan is a marked improvement. In a statement on Telegram, he confirmed the list of demands on his nation had been shortened and now contains "many of the right elements".
President Zelensky stated, "Now the list of necessary steps to end the war can become doable. As of now, after Geneva, there are fewer points – no longer 28 – and many of the right elements have been taken into account in this framework." He acknowledged the challenging work ahead to finalise the document but praised the constructive approach from the American side.
The Path Forward and a Softening Deadline
While President Zelensky affirmed Ukraine's readiness to work quickly for a "dignified peace," a planned meeting with President Trump in Washington this week is now unlikely. This meeting was initially seen as pivotal ahead of a purported deadline of Thursday, November 27 for Ukraine to accept the peace terms.
Officials from the Foreign Office, however, have grown confident that the progress achieved in Geneva means this date is no longer a hard deadline, providing more room for diplomatic manoeuvring.
Ahead of the coalition call, Sir Keir Starmer emphasised the collective focus, stating that all partners are united in pursuing a "just and lasting peace" in Ukraine. He underscored the direct impact of the conflict on the United Kingdom, reinforcing why a stable resolution matters for British national security and European stability.
