Sir Keir Starmer is targeted on a “durable peace”, Downing Road has mentioned, after Donald Trump’s envoy to Ukraine dismissed his “coalition of the willing” plan.
Steve Witkoff – who’s main the US ceasefire negotiations with Ukraine and Russia – described the prime minister’s thought as “posture and pose” and accused him of adopting the “simplistic” notion that leaders “have all got to be like Winston Churchill”.
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Pushed by the UK and France, the “coalition of the willing” may see troops from quite a lot of European and NATO nations deployed to Ukraine as peacekeepers after a ceasefire with the intention to deter Vladimir Putin from launching additional assaults on its neighbour.
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Steve Witkoff. File pic: Reuters
Sir Keir’s official spokesman defended the concept following Mr Witkoff’s feedback, saying the PM remained “focused on the outcome of durable peace in Ukraine” and that he was engaged on the “planning phase” of the coalition.
He would not be drawn on whether or not the remarks had been mentioned in a telephone name between the prime minister and Mr Trump on Sunday evening.
He mentioned the main focus of their dialog was an “economic deal” with the US, however “we are engaging with the US at all levels on Ukraine”.
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Starmer outlines 4 level plan for Ukraine
Mr Witkoff made the feedback in an interview with pro-Trump journalist Tucker Carlson.
He informed Mr Carlson he lately met with the Russian president in Moscow and “liked” him.
“I don’t regard Putin as a bad guy. I thought that he was straight up with me,” he mentioned.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves defended the prime minister’s “diplomatic efforts” in bringing collectively European leaders after being proven the clip on the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg.
She mentioned she was not “put off” by Mr Witkoff’s feedback and any ceasefire “needs to be enforced” – and that is what Sir Keir was centered on.
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Lib Dem chief Sir Ed Davey was extra direct in his criticism, saying: “Trump’s so-called ‘special’ envoy might dismiss British leadership as pointless posturing, but we know what it really is.
“Britain main in Europe once more, as we now have completed within the biggest moments of our nation’s historical past.”
Greater than 30 nations now stand able to implement a peace deal in Ukraine as a part of the “coalition of the willing”, Downing Road mentioned final week.
This features a “significant number” of nations that can present troops on the bottom, whereas others are able to contribute logistics and background help.
Ceasefire talks aiming to finish the battle in Ukraine started immediately in Saudi Arabia, and each nations are anticipated to carry oblique talks mediated by the US.
The hope is that either side will agree on pausing long-range assaults on power amenities and civilian infrastructure.
