UK accuses Russia of not being 'serious player' in peace talks

LONDON

The British prime minister has accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of making "hollow" promises over a ceasefire in Ukraine, according to an official statement on Thursday.

Keir Starmer is co-hosting the third summit of the "coalition of the willing" together with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris following separate talks between the US, Russia, and Ukraine in Saudi Arabia earlier this week.

He is expected to underscore that all must back Ukraine to remain in the fight against Russia, while underlining that Europe is stepping up to play its part to defend Ukraine’s future.

During the meeting, he will present the outcomes of this week’s planning meetings in support of Ukraine, which took place at the UK military operational headquarters in Northwood over the last three days.

The prime minister's office said in the statement that the intensive sessions, which convened over 200 military planners from countries across the globe, considered in detail the structure of any future force to ensure "Ukraine can defend itself from future Russian aggression."

"Discussions will continue around military planning of air, sea and land forces that would be required to support a just and lasting peace in Ukraine."

Starmer is expected to reiterate that a lasting peace in Ukraine "can only be provided if we step up and give real and credible security assurances to deter Putin from coming back in future."

He will also criticize Russia for "lack of commitment to the peace process" following ceasefire talks in Saudi Arabia this week.

The statement recalled that published readouts from both sides confirmed a naval ceasefire and prevention of use of commercial vessels for military purposes in the Black Sea but Russia "immediately backtracked" and placed conditions on the agreements.

Starmer is expected to say that unlike Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Putin has shown "he’s not a serious player in these peace talks."

"Playing games with the agreed naval ceasefire in the Black Sea despite good faith participation from all sides – all while continuing to inflict devastating attacks on the Ukrainian people. His promises are hollow."

"Putin needs to show he’s willing to play ball," he said.