Revival of Hope for Peace in Ukraine
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will attempt to revive hope for peace in Ukraine at a meeting with Volodymyr Zelenskiy and other Western leaders on Sunday, two days after the Ukrainian president clashed with U.S. President Donald Trump.
A "Coalition of the Willing"
Starmer said on Sunday that an urgent round of calls to Trump, Zelenskiy, and French President Emmanuel Macron over the weekend had cemented the idea that a "coalition of the willing" in Europe would need to move quickly to come up with a peace plan to be presented to the United States. This coalition would require Europe to move faster than it has done to show it can defend itself, with countries needing to step up as Britain and France had by offering peacekeeping troops.
A Turning Point in the War
Starmer described the war as at a turning point three years into the invasion, and he offered "unwavering support for Ukraine" by doubling down on providing capacity, training, and aid to Kyiv. He will ask leaders how they can step up to provide Kyiv with aid before any peace talks begin, given that many are struggling with limited public finances.
A Peace Deal with Russia
Starmer is trying to revive a possible peace deal with Russia by convincing Trump that Europe can step up to defend itself. Some leaders might also encourage Zelenskiy to go back into talks with the U.S. leader.
Sunday’s Meeting
At a meeting that has taken on added significance, Starmer will start Sunday by holding talks with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni after welcoming Zelenskiy on Saturday with a clear message of support for a visibly shaken leader. They will then be joined by Macron, the EU’s Ursula von der Leyen, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, and leaders from countries including Germany, Denmark, Poland, and Canada. Turkey’s foreign minister will also attend.
The Way Forward
Sunday’s meeting is a boost for Starmer, whose team felt his meeting with Trump last week had gone better than expected with Trump praising the British leader and even suggesting Ukraine could regain some lost territory in peace talks. However, Friday’s disastrous meeting with Trump has ended a week when Europe had appeared to be in a better position in its drive to encourage Trump to continue to offer support to Ukraine after cordial visits to Washington by Macron and Starmer.
Conclusion
Starmer’s meeting with Zelenskiy and other Western leaders on Sunday presents an opportunity to revive hope for peace in Ukraine. With the war at a turning point, Starmer’s efforts to revive a possible peace deal with Russia and encourage Trump to offer a backstop to a potential European peacekeeping force are crucial to establishing a long-lasting peace and deterring any future Russian attack.
FAQs
Q: What is the purpose of Sunday’s meeting between Starmer, Zelenskiy, and other Western leaders?
A: The meeting aims to revive hope for peace in Ukraine and to discuss a possible peace deal with Russia.
Q: What is a "coalition of the willing"?
A: It refers to a group of countries that are willing to work together to achieve a common goal, in this case, a peace deal in Ukraine.
Q: How can Europe step up to defend itself?
A: By offering peacekeeping troops and providing aid to Ukraine, as well as strengthening its own military capabilities.
Q: What is a backstop?
A: It is a promise of support or assistance in the event of a crisis or emergency, in this case, a potential European peacekeeping force to deter Russian aggression.