Starmer: Ukraine needs security guarantees to prevent Putin from violating peace deal
Photo: Keir Starmer, British Prime Minister (Getty Images)
Ukraine must be given security guarantees to ensure Russian President Vladimir Putin does not break a potential peace agreement, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said, according to The Guardian.
Starmer noted he was "not entirely surprised" by Russia’s negative reaction to the US proposal for a 30-day ceasefire with Ukraine.
"Well, firstly, keep our focus on a lasting and secure peace in Ukraine, which is what we all want. It doesn’t entirely surprise me that Russia is taking this stance. They’ve made it pretty clear. They put it in lights a number of times over," he said.
The UK leader pointed to progress made following talks between Ukrainian and US officials in Saudi Arabia, saying the ball is "in the Russian court," and pressure will be applied on Moscow.
"That is a good thing because Russia is the aggressor. Russia is the country that where there had been previous deals and agreements, it has not honored those. We know that Putin has ambitions that are barely disguised," Starmer added.
He emphasized the need for continued cooperation with allies, particularly the US and Ukraine. On Saturday, March 15, leaders from several countries will gather in London to discuss progress toward securing lasting peace in Ukraine.
Starmer also stressed that Putin opposes providing Ukraine with security guarantees.
"If you don’t intend to breach the deal, you wouldn’t have too many problems with guarantees for the deal. And we know that in the past, he’s breached the deal. So his reaction reinforces my strong belief that if the deal is not defended with security guarantees, then he will breach it in due course," he stated.
Security guarantees for Ukraine
US President Donald Trump believes that security guarantees should be discussed after the war between Ukraine and Russia is over.
This position of the American leader is also supported by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. According to him, “before supporting peace, it is necessary to first achieve it.”
At the same time, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy warned that Ukraine needs security guarantees before signing a peace agreement. Otherwise, Russia may violate the peace.
