"Europe Must Do The Heavy Lifting" In Ukraine: Keir Starmer
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Loading... - Maxim Sidorov
- 03 Mar 2025
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UK leader Keir Starmer emphasized the need for Europe to take a leading role in securing peace in Ukraine while calling for strong US support to deter Russian President Vladimir Putin from violating any ceasefire agreements. His remarks followed discussions with over a dozen leaders in central London.
Starmer stated, "Europe must do the heavy lifting," highlighting the importance of European nations in the peace process. He stressed that for the effort to succeed, it must be backed by the United States. Alongside French President Emmanuel Macron, Starmer is working to form a coalition of countries willing to contribute to peacekeeping efforts in Ukraine, expressing readiness to deploy British and French troops if a ceasefire agreement is reached.
He noted that several countries have shown interest in participating in the peacekeeping plan, emphasizing the urgency of planning. While US President Donald Trump has not yet committed to security guarantees, Starmer indicated that discussions are based on the expectation of US backing, expressing confidence that this initiative could lead to a positive outcome for Ukraine and strengthen ties among Ukraine, Europe, the UK, and the US.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, however, downplayed Italy's potential contribution of peacekeepers, stating that the presence of Italian troops in Ukraine has not been on the agenda and that such a solution could be complex and less decisive. Additionally, Starmer announced a deal allowing Ukraine to utilize £1.6 billion ($2 billion) of UK export finance to purchase over 5,000 air defense missiles, further bolstering Ukraine's military capabilities.
In summary, Starmer's call for Europe to take the lead in the peace process underscores the urgency of international cooperation in addressing the ongoing conflict, with hopes for a coordinated effort to secure lasting peace in the region.
