Starmer to meet EU and Nato leaders for Ukraine ‘coalition of willing’ talks

There will be no representative from the US at today’s virtual meeting of Western leaders to discuss plans for Ukraine.

Under Donald Trump, the White House has shifted its stance on the war, with the US President clashing with Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office on 28 February.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has indicated that he supported a truce in principle but has set out a host of details that need to be clarified before agreeing to a ceasefire.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has voiced “cautious optimism” about the possibility of Putin, who met with Washington’s envoy Steve Witkoff, on Thursday, backing a ceasefire.

Starmer appears to be less optimistic, and is set to tell leaders that concrete commitments are required now as Putin plays “pointless games” with Trump’s peace plan.

“Putin is trying to delay, saying there must be a painstaking study before a ceasefire can take place,” Starmer said.

“But the world needs to see action, not a study, or empty words and pointless conditions.

“The Kremlin’s complete disregard for President Trump’s ceasefire proposal only serves to demonstrate that Putin is not serious about peace.”

Emmanuel Macron said he had spoken on Friday with Zelensky and Starmer about progress at the US-Ukraine talks earlier this week in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, which led to Trump resuming military aid and intelligence sharing with Kyiv.

Saturday’s meeting, he said, will “continue to work on reinforcing the support for Ukraine and toward a solid and lasting peace.”