Starmer insists on Ukraine's inclusion in peace talks ahead of meeting
4 Min Read
The British Premier has voiced his support for the US position that Europe must take greater responsibility for its own defense.
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Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaks during a press conference at NATO headquarters in Brussels, Monday, Feb. 3, 2025 (AP Photo/Omar Havana, Pool)
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has made it clear that any negotiations about Ukraine's future must involve Ukraine directly, as he prepares to meet with US President Donald Trump later this week. Speaking at the Scottish Labour Party conference in Glasgow on Sunday, Starmer noted that "there could be no discussion about Ukraine without Ukraine, and the people of Ukraine must have a long-term secure future."
Starmer's remarks come ahead of his visit to Washington on Thursday, following in the footsteps of French President Emmanuel Macron, who is scheduled to meet Trump on Monday. Their meetings coincide with the third anniversary of the war in Ukraine. Both European leaders are expected to persuade Trump against hastily negotiating a ceasefire with Russian President Vladimir Putin, stressing the need for European participation in the peace process and military guarantees for Ukraine.
Recent developments have seen US and Russian officials engaging in peace talks in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, notably excluding Ukrainian representatives. This exclusion has raised concerns among European leaders about the legitimacy and potential outcomes of such negotiations. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has firmly stated that no decisions should be made "behind our backs."
Read more: Russia asked US to withdraw NATO from eastern Europe: Financial Times
Starmer reaffirmed the moral and strategic importance of supporting Ukraine, stating, "Instability in Europe always washes up on our shores, and this is a generational moment." He argued that maintaining solidarity with Ukraine is not just the right thing to do but is also essential for Britain's national security.
Starmer has voiced his support for the US position that Europe must take greater responsibility for its own defense. He stated that Britain is ready to play a leading role in European security, even suggesting that the UK could participate in a peacekeeping mission in Ukraine once a settlement is reached.
"We have to be ready to play our role if a force is required in Ukraine once a peace agreement is reached, and we have to be ready to reshape our economy with industrial policy, to stand up for Ukraine, to stand up for Europe, but most of all to stand up for our security," Starmer said.
Ukraine Talks, Mineral Deal Underway
In a recent interview on the Brian Kilmeade Show on Fox News Audio, Trump criticized both Starmer and Macron, stating they "haven't done anything" to end the war in Ukraine. He also suggested that the conflict could have been avoided through better diplomacy, criticizing former President Joe Biden and Zelensky for their handling of the situation. Trump remarked, "Number one, you shouldn't have had a war. And if you did, it should have been solved and settled immediately. It could have been."
Read more: Trump calls Zelensky a 'modestly successful comedian', 'dictator'
Meanwhile, negotiations are currently underway between the US and Ukraine over a revised minerals agreement. The proposed deal, expected to be signed by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, would grant the US access to Ukraine's rare earth resources. This follows Ukraine's rejection of an earlier proposal offering military aid in exchange for 50% ownership of mineral revenues. The rejection was influenced by Trump's demand for $500 billion in economic returns, encompassing minerals, ports, infrastructure, oil, and gas.
Trump recently defended his stance at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), criticizing the structure of US aid to Ukraine compared to European contributions. "Europe gave it in the form of a loan. They get their money back. We gave it in the form of nothing," he said, underscoring his intention to secure compensation for the billions in aid sent to Ukraine.
