UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer says any Ukraine deal must be fair, just, and backed by security guarantees to prevent renewed Russian attacks.
As reported by The London Standard, Sir Keir Starmer said any Ukraine peace agreement must include “hard-edged” security guarantees to stop Russian President Vladimir Putin from resuming hostilities.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will hold talks with European leaders at Downing Street for crisis discussions amid increased scrutiny from US President Donald Trump.
The British Prime Minister will convene private talks with Mr Zelensky, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz as leaders push to end the war in Moscow.
Mr Starmer and President Macron are leading the “coalition of the willing” to support Ukraine, with Britain prepared to deploy troops if a peace deal is reached.
What did Keir Starmer say about the Ukraine peace talks with European allies?
Commenting on the peace talks in Downing Street, Sir Keir Starmer said,
“I’m looking forward to seeing President Zelensky in Downing Street, where we will have time for a private discussion about the peace plan in Ukraine.”
He stated,
“We’ve got Chancellor Merz and President Macron coming as well, so the four of us will have the opportunity to go through the various issues, to do it privately, and to make progress.”
The prime minister added,
“It is important that we bear in mind that this conflict is nearly four years old, that Russia is the aggressor, and therefore, if there is to be a ceasefire, it needs to be just – because Ukraine has taken heavy, heavy losses and paid a very heavy price for a war which was not of their making – but it’s also got to be lasting, because we know Putin does not respect agreements that don’t have hard-edged security guarantees behind them, so that’s what we’ll be focusing on.”
Mr Starmer praised the US president despite White House criticism of European leaders’ expectations on the war.
He said,
“You can never get from conflict to peace by an easy, straight route. It’s always a complicated business, but I do think that we’re making progress, and I think what President Trump has been able to achieve in the last few weeks, getting it this far, has been the furthest we’ve got in the four years.”
The Labour leader continued,
“And I therefore pay tribute to him for that, and hopefully we can make some further progress this afternoon.”
Mr Starmer reiterated that Ukraine must determine its own future, with a senior minister warning the country must not be left “toothless” against Russian aggression.
How is Ukraine pushing for security guarantees amid ongoing Russian attacks?
Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to London comes after his officials concluded three days of talks with US counterparts on a proposed peace deal.
Mr Zelensky told reporters that he discussed “next steps” with President Trump’s advisers and remained committed to working in good faith.
The negotiators warned that real progress depends on Russia’s willingness to show a serious commitment to a long-term peace agreement.
Kyiv and European allies are expected to demand security guarantees from the US and the UK-France-led coalition while resisting Russian territorial claims.
Moscow has repeatedly rejected the stationing of allied troops in Ukraine and continues to demand significant Ukrainian territory, while its forces carried out attacks over the weekend.
Russia’s ongoing attacks on Ukrainian infrastructure have killed at least four people, aiming to “weaponise” the cold by cutting civilians’ access to heat and electricity.
What did Donald Trump say about Volodymyr Zelensky and the US peace proposal for Ukraine?
On Sunday, 7 November, Donald Trump told reporters that President Zelensky had not yet read the US-drafted peace proposal.
“I’m a little bit disappointed that President Zelensky hasn’t yet read the proposal, that was as of a few hours ago. His people love it, but he hasn’t,”
he said.
President Trump added,
“Russia is, I believe, fine with it, but I’m not sure that Zelensky’s fine with it. His people love it, but he hasn’t read it.”
Why are European allies meeting in London?
European talks on Ukraine come after the publication of a new US national security strategy that alarmed European leaders but was praised by Russia.
The Kremlin’s Dmitry Peskov said the document detailing Washington’s foreign policy is largely aligned with Moscow’s vision.
The White House on Friday, 5 November, outlined plans to improve ties with Russia after years of isolation, noting that ending the conflict is intended to “re-establish strategic stability.”
The US strategy warned that NATO should not be “a perpetually expanding alliance,” echoing Russian concerns, and criticized European allies’ migration and free speech policies as risking “civilizational erasure.”
What is included in the US-proposed peace plan for Ukraine?
The US’s first peace proposal suggested that:
- Ukraine cannot join NATO and must limit its military to 600,000 troops.
- Russia’s control over Crimea, Luhansk, and Donetsk would be recognized.
- Full amnesty for all parties involved in the war, with a Peace Council monitoring compliance.
- Coordinated military response if Russia violates Ukrainian territory.
- Ukraine to hold elections within 100 days and receive temporary EU market access.
- Joint reconstruction and economic cooperation, using frozen Russian assets.
- Humanitarian measures, including prisoner exchanges, family reunifications, and protection of cultural and linguistic rights.
