Keir Starmer engaged in discussions with Donald Trump regarding his contentious Ukraine peace initiative today, expressing concerns about the need for further refinement. The President of the United States gave a short deadline to war-torn Ukraine to respond to the proposed resolution aimed at resolving the conflict with Russia. However, Starmer and other global leaders emphasized the necessity for enhancements to the plan, which includes ceding territory and reducing the strength of Kyiv’s military.
Following the discussions among the Coalition of the Willing partners at the G20 summit, Starmer and Trump agreed that their teams would collaborate on refining the peace proposal in Geneva the following day. Additionally, they planned to reconvene for further talks on Sunday, as confirmed by a spokesperson from Downing Street.
Earlier in the day, the UK Prime Minister updated Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the ongoing negotiations and reiterated the UK’s unwavering support. In a joint statement with other G7 leaders, excluding the US, Starmer emphasized that borders should not be altered by force.
A Downing Street representative stated that during the call with Mr. Trump, the Prime Minister conveyed the discussions held among the Coalition of the Willing partners at the G20 summit. They agreed to collaborate on the 28-point US peace proposal in Geneva the next day. Trump and Starmer are scheduled for another conversation on Sunday.
The Prime Minister disclosed in a press briefing in Johannesburg that he anticipates speaking with the US President in the upcoming days and clarified that there are no plans for a visit to Washington DC, with the focus currently on urgent discussions in Geneva. Notably, officials from the US and Ukraine will convene in Switzerland for urgent talks, with special envoy Steve Witkoff and Secretary of State Marco Rubio representing the US, and the UK’s National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell participating after departing the G20 summit early.
Trump has set a strict deadline of November 27, coinciding with Thanksgiving in the US, for Ukraine to respond to his proposal. The 28-point blueprint, which has raised concerns in Kyiv and European capitals, includes contentious elements such as territorial concessions and military downsizing for Ukraine. Former British Army commander Hamish de Bretton-Gordon criticized the plan, labeling it as impractical and favoring Putin without benefiting Ukraine.
Russian President Vladimir Putin cautiously welcomed the US proposal, acknowledging its potential as a foundation for a final peace settlement. The leaders’ statement reiterated the importance of further refinement to ensure a sustainable peace, emphasizing the need to respect Ukraine’s territorial integrity and security.