Starmer and von der Leyen discuss 'decisive moment' for Ukraine
Photo: UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen (Getty Images)
The United Kingdom and the European Commission agree that a decisive moment for Ukraine’s future is now approaching, as work is underway on a US peace plan that could potentially end Russia’s war against Ukraine, according to an official statement by the British government following a conversation between UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Thursday evening. Their discussion focused on ongoing work on a US-led peace plan aimed at ending the killing in Ukraine.
Both agreed that this marks a decisive moment for Ukraine’s future. Europe reaffirmed that it will stand with Ukraine for as long as necessary to achieve a truly just and lasting peace.
They also discussed progress on mobilizing frozen assets of the Russian regime to support Ukraine, as well as measures announced at the UK–EU summit in May.
The United States, Ukraine, and Europe continue to work on the peace plan, with the most contentious issue remaining territory, particularly Donbas. Washington is pushing for territorial concessions, while Ukraine rejects such proposals.
According to Politico, European leaders are considering the creation of a 40-kilometer buffer zone between Ukrainian and Russian front lines as part of a peace agreement. At the same time, The New York Times reports that Ukraine’s updated plan rules out transferring Donbas to Russia.
US President’s special envoy Steve Witkoff will meet European leaders and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Berlin, a meeting seen as key to the White House’s efforts to advance peace in Ukraine.
