Cliff Notes
- Sir Keir Starmer and fellow European leaders are in Kyiv, urging Russia to agree to an unconditional 30-day ceasefire, supported by a joint statement with President Zelenskyy.
- This meeting marks the first simultaneous visit of leaders from the UK, France, Germany, and Poland to Ukraine, demonstrating united European support amidst ongoing conflict.
- Analysts suggest the summit aims to apply pressure on Russia to accept a ceasefire, with the US advocating for further sanctions if hostilities continue.
Ukraine presses Russia for 30-day ceasefire as Starmer among leaders in Kyiv for talks
Sir Keir Starmer has joined other European leaders in Kyiv to press Russia to agree an unconditional 30-day ceasefire.
The prime minister is attending the summit alongside French President Emmanuel Macron, recently-elected German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
It is the first time the leaders of the four countries have travelled to Ukraine at the same time – arriving in the capital by train – with their meeting hosted by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Security and defence analyst Michael Clarke told Sky News presenter Samantha Washington the European leaders are “rowing in behind” the US president, who referred to his “European allies” for the first time in this context in a post on his Truth Social platform.
“So this meeting is all about heaping pressure on the Russians to go along with the American proposal,” he said.
“It’s the closest the Europeans and the US have been for about three months on this issue.”
Ahead of the meeting on Saturday, Sir Keir, Mr Macron, Mr Tusk and Mr Merz released a joint statement.
“We reiterate our backing for President Trump’s calls for a peace deal and call on Russia to stop obstructing efforts to secure an enduring peace,” they said.
“Alongside the US, we call on Russia to agree a full and unconditional 30-day ceasefire to create the space for talks on a just and lasting peace.”
