UK and France aim to dissuade Trump from holding separate talks with Putin – The Times

According to high-ranking diplomatic sources of the media, Starmer and Macron will urge Trump to halt separate peace talks with Moscow in exchange for Europe's commitment to ensuring Ukraine's future security.

During a round of intense international diplomacy on the third anniversary of the Russian invasion, Starmer and Macron agreed to coordinate their approach in an attempt to influence the US President's plan. Global security had reached a "critical moment," they stated.

Starmer is set to meet with Trump in Washington on February 27. Macron will hold separate talks with the US President on February 24.

At the same time, UK Education Minister Bridget Phillipson exercised caution and did not criticize Trump for initiating negotiations with Putin regarding Ukraine, stating that the President was right to approach Russia with a proposal for talks, but that "a settlement is impossible" without Kyiv's involvement.

"It will require negotiations with the Russians as part of the settlement, so I think this is the right approach. President Trump has brought the Russians to the negotiating table, but for any lasting settlement when it comes to peace, the voices of Ukrainians, the voice of President Zelensky, need to be part of it," Phillipson noted.

UK Education Minister also stated that "there can be no settlement without negotiations involving both Russia and Ukraine."

Statements from Washington

US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Trump's Special Envoy, Steven Witkoff, refused to comment on whether they believe Russia is responsible for starting the war against Ukraine.

"We know who invaded," Hegsett said to Fox News. "Does all this finger-pointing increase the likelihood of peace? That's the question the President (Trump - ed.) is asking."

But he added: "Standing here and saying, 'You’re good, you’re bad; you’re a dictator, you're not a dictator; you invaded, you didn't do it.' It’s pointless. It’s unproductive."

When asked if it was fair to say that Russia invaded Ukraine without any reason three years ago, he responded, "It’s fair to say it’s a very complex situation."

Witkoff, speaking on CNN, said that "the war should not have happened, it was provoked. That doesn't necessarily mean it was provoked by the Russians. There was a lot of talk about Ukraine joining NATO... This wasn't supposed to happen, essentially, it became a threat to the Russians... These are the real facts."

Earlier, the UK Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, called on allies to continue supporting Ukraine. UK politician noted that a bad peace agreement would be "a disaster for everyone." According to him, it is in London's and Washington's interest to support Ukraine with security guarantees.