Downing Street has issued a direct warning to Vladimir Putin, demanding the Russian leader halt his military campaign and prove he is serious about engaging in peace talks to end the war in Ukraine. The statement from Prime Minister Keir Starmer's spokesman came on Monday, 29 December 2025, labelling the negotiations as being at a 'delicate stage'.
Trump's Optimism and Zelensky's Security Demands
The UK government's intervention followed remarks by US President Donald Trump, who claimed a peace agreement was 'closer than ever before'. President Trump made the comments after hosting Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky for talks in Florida over the weekend.
Mr Trump stated that discussions on a security guarantee for Ukraine were 'close to 95%' complete, though both leaders acknowledged significant hurdles remain. President Zelensky revealed that the proposed US security guarantees would span 15 years, but he expressed a preference for a commitment lasting up to 50 years to effectively deter future Russian aggression.
'Without security guarantees, realistically, this war will not end,' President Zelensky told reporters.
Sticking Points and Russian Actions
Despite the reported progress, major obstacles persist. A key point of contention is the proposed 'presence' of international partners in Ukraine as part of the security package. The Kremlin has repeatedly stated that Vladimir Putin will not accept the deployment of troops from NATO countries on Ukrainian soil.
This diplomatic friction is set against a backdrop of continued violence. The UK government's statement explicitly referenced a 'series of devastating Russian attacks' over the weekend, underscoring the gap between talk and action.
'If Putin is serious about peace he would stop the killing and end his campaign and seriously engage in the peace deal that is on the table. We can only judge him on his actions,' the Prime Minister's spokesman said.
The Path Ahead and Forthcoming Talks
Efforts are now intensifying to bring the negotiations to a head, potentially ahead of the fourth anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion in February. The UK confirmed it has been 'working with our Ukrainian and US counterparts for some weeks' to secure a durable settlement.
Further high-level discussions are scheduled for January, with Donald Trump expected to host European leaders and a Ukrainian delegation, possibly in Washington. A call between Presidents Putin and Trump is also anticipated in the near future, although there is no indication the Russian leader is willing to speak directly with President Zelensky.
As the diplomatic dance continues, the UK's message remains clear: any hope for a 'just and lasting peace' depends on a demonstrable end to hostilities from the Kremlin.
