Sir Keir Starmer and Donald Trump have agreed that their teams will collaborate on the US president's proposed peace plan for Ukraine. This agreement was reached during a phone conversation following discussions Starmer had with Coalition of the Willing members at the G20 summit.
The UK Prime Minister has previously expressed concerns about aspects of the US-drafted plan, particularly regarding potential limitations on Ukraine's armed forces and its NATO membership aspirations. The US president's peace proposal, which was reportedly developed in secret with Moscow and not initially shared with Kyiv or European allies, is seen by Starmer and other international leaders as a starting point that "requires additional work." A key point of contention is the proposal to cap Ukraine's military capabilities, with Starmer emphasizing the need for Ukraine to be able to defend itself.
Senior US, Ukrainian, and European national security advisers are scheduled to meet in Switzerland to discuss the details of the framework. The inclusion of an Article 5 security guarantee, which aligns with NATO's mutual defense clause, is considered a significant and positive element of the US plan by Starmer, reinforcing his belief in Trump's desire for a just and lasting peace.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has stated that his country's representatives at the Geneva talks will prioritize protecting Ukraine's national interests and preventing future Russian aggression.
