UK and EU Leaders Discuss Path to Peace in Ukraine
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer held discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Saturday, emphasizing the importance of a peace forum in Kent aimed at fostering progress towards a “just and lasting peace” in Ukraine, reports 24brussels.
This meeting is set against the backdrop of escalating conflict, with expectations high for significant dialogue among European leaders. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has been liaising with EU officials to prepare for the gathering, ensuring a continuous exchange of insights about the meeting’s outcomes, according to Commission spokesperson Anitta Hipper.
Germany will participate at an “advisory level” in the talks, as confirmed by a source familiar with the situation. This collaborative approach aims to consolidate European support for Ukraine amidst ongoing military challenges.
Highlighting the urgency of these discussions, former U.S. President Donald Trump plans to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin next Friday in Alaska to explore avenues for conflict resolution. Trump’s proposal suggests Ukraine may need to concede territory for peace, a notion swiftly dismissed by Zelenskyy.
In their conversation, both Starmer and Zelenskyy expressed their support for Trump’s intention to “bring this barbaric war to an end.” They stressed the necessity of maintaining pressure on President Putin to cease his illegal aggression.
Hipper reiterated the EU’s commitment to backing peace negotiations that center Ukraine’s sovereignty, affirming that Ukraine should have a decisive role in determining its future.
