UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has strongly criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin’s promises as “hollow” ahead of a crucial Ukraine ceasefire summit in Paris. Starmer’s comments underscore the deep-seated skepticism among Western leaders regarding Putin’s commitment to a peaceful resolution in Ukraine.
In a statement, Starmer emphasized that Putin’s actions have consistently belied his words, citing the Russian leader’s failure to adhere to previous ceasefire agreements. “Unlike President Zelensky, Putin has shown he’s not a serious player in these peace talks,” Starmer said. “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”.
The UK has been a vocal supporter of Ukraine, committing £3 billion per year in military funding until 2030/31 and providing significant humanitarian and economic aid. The international community has ramped up pressure on Russia to end its aggression in Ukraine, with the US, EU, and other key players imposing stringent sanctions on Moscow.
The Ukraine ceasefire summit in Paris is scheduled for Thursday. It brings together key international stakeholders, including the US, EU, and Ukraine. They aim to discuss a potential ceasefire agreement. The summit is seen as a critical opportunity for diplomatic efforts to yield a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
The US has played a pivotal role in convening ceasefire talks. President Biden is working closely with European leaders. They aim to coordinate a unified response to the crisis. Starmer praised the US efforts, stating that “the United States is playing a leading role by convening the ceasefire talks”.
Europe has also stepped up its support for Ukraine, with the EU committing significant financial and humanitarian aid. Starmer emphasized that “Europe is stepping up to play its part to defend Ukraine’s future”.
As the international community gathers in Paris for the ceasefire summit, the stakes are high. With Putin’s “hollow promises” casting a shadow over the proceedings, it remains unclear if a peaceful resolution can be achieved. One thing is clear: the world is watching, and the consequences of failure will be dire.