UK PM Keir Starmer urges Putin to 'come to the table' as coalition calls for ceasefire support

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer asserted that Russian President Vladimir Putin would “sooner or later” have to “come to the table” as he hosted a virtual summit aimed at building support for a coalition to safeguard any eventual ceasefire in Ukraine.

Starmer emphasized the importance of strengthening Ukraine, ensuring the protection of any ceasefire, and maintaining pressure on Moscow, news agency AFP reported.

During the call with 25 global leaders, Starmer noted that while Ukraine had demonstrated its commitment to peace by agreeing to a 30-day unconditional ceasefire, it was Putin who was delaying the process. “If Putin is serious about peace, he has to stop his barbaric attacks on Ukraine and agree to a ceasefire,” Starmer said, adding, “The world is watching.”

The summit comes as overnight fighting continued in the ongoing three-year conflict, with Russia claiming to have taken two villages in the Kursk border region, while Kyiv reported downing 130 Iranian-made drones launched by Russia. The Kremlin's continued aggression in Kursk, despite the ceasefire proposals, further escalates tensions.

Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron have been leading efforts to form a “coalition of the willing” to ensure Ukraine’s security and prevent any violations of ceasefire terms. This initiative follows direct negotiations with Moscow that began last month under former US President Donald Trump.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky, also on the call, highlighted ongoing discussions with Macron on the technical aspects of implementing a ceasefire, with security guarantees to follow soon.

Macron joined the call on Friday, urging Russia to accept the ceasefire proposal and cease its violent actions in Ukraine. He, along with German leaders, has criticized Putin's response, with Germany calling it “at best a delaying tactic.”

Starmer and Macron have pledged to consider deploying British and French troops on the ground in Ukraine if needed, but the broader coalition's willingness remains uncertain.

The summit also involved key figures from Canada, Australia, New Zealand, NATO, and the EU, with discussions expected to continue into next week. The UK government indicated that the coalition would ramp up military support for Ukraine and pressure on Russia in the short term, while planning for a long-term solution to the conflict.