UK PM calls for security guarantees to ensure lasting peace in Ukraine

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has stressed the need for robust security guarantees for Ukraine, warning that without them, Russian President Vladimir Putin could violate any future peace agreement. His remarks come amid discussions on a proposed 30-day ceasefire, which Russia has so far failed to respond to meaningfully.

Starmer noted that Russia’s reluctance to engage constructively was expected, as Moscow has a history of disregarding previous agreements. He highlighted that the focus should remain on securing a lasting and stable peace in Ukraine. “Russia has made its position clear on multiple occasions, and its refusal to commit to a ceasefire only reinforces the need for strong security measures,” he said.

The latest developments follow high-level talks in Saudi Arabia, where Ukrainian and US officials discussed key steps toward peace. As a result of these discussions, the burden is now on Russia to demonstrate its willingness to de-escalate the war. Starmer welcomed the diplomatic progress and emphasized that continued international pressure was necessary to hold Russia accountable.

He also pointed out that Putin has consistently opposed Ukraine’s security guarantees, raising concerns that any peace deal without proper safeguards would be vulnerable to Russian violations. “If there is no intention to break an agreement, there should be no issue with ensuring its enforcement. However, given Russia’s past actions, it is clear that strong security commitments are needed,” Starmer explained.

On March 15, leaders from various nations will meet in London to discuss Ukraine’s long-term stability and the next steps for ensuring peace. Starmer reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to working closely with its allies, including the United States and European partners, to prevent further aggression. He stressed that only a well-enforced agreement with concrete security measures would prevent a recurrence of the conflict.