UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Shadow Foreign Secretary Priti Patel says US President Donald Trump is wrong on Russian President Vladimir Putin, insisting Moscow shows no real desire for peace.
As reported by The Telegraph, Dame Priti Patel says Donald Trump is wrong about Vladimir Putin’s intentions for peace.
What did Priti Patel say about Vladimir Putin’s intentions for peace?
Priti Patel said there is “no evidence” that Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to stop the war.She highlighted Russia’s massive drone attack on eastern Dnipro, which came after President Trump’s peace envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner held fruitless talks with Mr Putin.Dame Patel said,
“There’s no evidence of it…look at what Putin’s done this week,”
while visiting Washington, DC to meet conservative and US political leaders. She stated,
“There is no cessation, there is no indication of peace whatsoever. And if he was sincere and serious about peace, he wouldn’t be having those deadly attacks to the level that he is.”
Speaking from Washington DC, Dame Priti Patel said there was no indication the president planned to ease his stance on Russia and Ukraine. She said,
“He understands it’s challenging. If it was all so easy, it wouldn’t be carrying on to the extent that it has been. I think he absolutely wants to find an amicable resolution and a fair resolution.”
Visiting Washington for the first time since January and Mr Trump’s inauguration, Dame Patel said the city had visibly changed as the president deployed National Guard forces to deter crime and remove homeless camps.
The shadow foreign secretary added,
“Washington looks tidier and smarter. I think President Trump is very clear about homelessness and the sort of things that were going on here.”
However, she made clear that the use of forces in civilian areas was not a practice she intended to take back home.
Attending a meeting of the International Democracy Union, Dame Priti stood alongside conservative leaders from around the world, figures the White House said were on the front line of “civilisational erasure.”
The White House’s new National Security Strategy places the phrase at its core, warning that immigration and Left-wing governments are erasing Europe’s long-standing freedoms. The American Right has become increasingly focused on Europe’s struggles.
The paper, which described Europe as potentially “unrecognisable” within two decades and urged the creation of “resistance,” has sparked political unrest at home, angering the Left while leaving the Right feeling vindicated.
Dame Priti admitted that, due to back-to-back meetings, she had not seen the document, saying,
“It is a warning signal to us all,”
after reviewing its key points.
She highlighted the matter as part of a rise in populist politics, warning that voters are wary of spending their taxes on policing opinions and personal feelings.
The European Right will focus on warnings of Left-wing authoritarianism, but the strategy document also outlines distinctions between the two sides of the Atlantic.
The document dismisses fears that Russia poses an existential threat to European nations and notes that Washington,
“finds itself at odds with European officials who hold unrealistic expectations for the war perched in unstable minority governments, many of which trample on basic principles of democracy to suppress opposition.”
Dame Patel said President Trump’s 28-point plan and the following discussions demonstrated a good-faith effort by the White House.
She added,
“When the proposal was first given an airing, look at the work that took place within the administration. The Secretary of State got involved and, you know, dialled it back and… had a degree of engagement.”
The shadow foreign secretary contiuned,
“So I think there is an understanding about what is at stake, fundamental principles, sovereignty, territorial sovereignty.”
What progress has been made in the Ukraine peace talks with Donald Trump’s advisers?
President Donald Trump’s advisers and Ukrainian officials announced that they will hold a third day of meetings, as the president seeks to get Kyiv and Moscow to accept a US-mediated plan to end nearly four years of conflict.Officials stated in a statement,
“Both parties agreed that real progress toward any agreement depends on Russia’s readiness to show serious commitment to long-term peace, including steps toward de-escalation and cessation of killings.”
The ongoing negotiations involving President Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner, US envoy Steve Witkoff, and Ukraine’s chief negotiator Rustem Umerov follow talks with Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin on Tuesday.
What is the US-proposed peace plan for Ukraine?
The peace plan says Ukraine would permanently cede Crimea, Luhansk, and Donetsk to Russia.
President Trump’s proposed peace plan adds that Ukraine would be required to formally renounce joining NATO, enshrining this pledge in its constitution. It aims to reduce the size of the Ukrainian armed forces to 600,000 personnel, a reduction from its current estimated strength of 800,000–850,000.
Under the plan, the US would provide a security guarantee to Ukraine, but it comes with conditions. The US would seek compensation for this guarantee, which would be voided if Ukraine attacks Russia.
The plan also calls for lifting international sanctions on Russia and inviting it to rejoin the G8 group of major economies.
