Sir Keir Starmer says he will soon discuss Donald Trump’s Ukraine peace plan, which allies argue needs major revision, signaling careful diplomatic engagement ahead.
A day before US, Ukrainian, and European national security advisers (NSAs) meet in Switzerland to "go through quite a bit of detail" of the framework, the Prime Minister also anticipates speaking with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky later on Saturday.
The US-drafted plan for Ukraine has been opposed by Sir Keir and other world leaders, who have voiced worries over plans to force Kyiv to curtail its armed forces, cede territory, and abandon its road to NATO membership.
However, the Labour leader claimed that the US leader's desire for a "just and lasting peace" is "fortified" by the inclusion of a "article five" security guarantee.
The leaders referred to Washington's covert plan with Moscow as "a basis which will require additional work" in a joint statement released on Saturday after their meeting at the G20 conference in Johannesburg.
In the meantime, Mr. Trump said "no" when asked if his recommendations were definitive, suggesting that there might be some opportunity for discussion in Geneva.
Sir Keir told reporters in Johannesburg:
“We are concerned about (caps on military) because it’s fundamental that Ukraine has to be able to defend itself if there’s a ceasefire.”
According to him, Ukraine's partners concur that "there are elements in the 28-point plan which are essential to lasting peace, but it requires additional work, and that we are going to engage on that."
According to reports, UK NSA Jonathan Powell departed early from the G20 conference in South Africa in order to travel to Switzerland.
Mr. Trump avoided the G20 summit in South Africa, and Sir Keir doesn't seem to have spoken to him recently.
"I'm in touch with him fairly regularly, as you know, and I'll no doubt talk to him in the coming days,"
the prime minister said to reporters when asked if they have communicated since the peace plan's announcement.
It is believed that the inclusion of an article five security guarantee NATO's mutual defense clause, which states that an assault on one member is an attack on the entire bloc is "integral and significant" to Washington's agenda.
“That’s about the strongest guarantee that can be put forward.
And so that fortifies in me the belief that what we’re all trying to achieve here is a just and lasting peace,”
Sir Keir said.
This was also made "clear" by Mr. Trump's conduct and their "one-on-one" talks about Ukraine, Sir Keir continued.
According to reports, the US president's special envoy Steve Witkoff and Kirill Dmitriev, a representative of the Kremlin, discussed the 28-point proposal without consulting Kyiv or European partners.
Mr. Witkoff, US Army Secretary Daniel Driscoll, and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will represent Washington at the Geneva negotiations.
In a video speech to his country, President Volodymyr Zelensky claimed that Ukrainian delegates at the negotiations in Switzerland "know how to protect Ukrainian national interests and exactly what is needed to prevent Russia from carrying out" another invasion.
“Real peace is always based on security and justice,”
the Ukrainian leader added.
The G20 summit, which is intended to bring together the world's top economies, was dominated by the revelation this week that the White House had been working covertly on a plan to put an end to the conflict.
According to Sir Keir, the UK will host the international conference in 2027, enabling Britain "to shape the global agenda once again" and spur economic expansion.
What will Starmer likely raise with Trump about the peace plan?
The need for work and modification on the plan, particularly on Ukrainian enterprises about territorial concessions and restrictions on its military forces, which abettors sweat could leave Ukraine vulnerable to unborn attacks.
The significance of the “ composition five ” security guarantee included in the plan, seen as a strong commitment that could help achieve a just and lasting peace. The urgency of finishing a peace deal that's both just and sustainable, rather than rushing to meet deadlines without addressing core enterprises.
The fact that the plan has not yet been substantively bandied with Russia or Ukraine, emphasizing the need for inclusive accommodations. The participating thing among Ukraine’s abettors to support concession sweats while icing peace accords doesn't undermine Ukraine’s capability to defend itself.