Ukraine leaders Starmer and Zelenskyy call for peace as Trump and Putin meet for talks
U.K. and Ukraine Discuss Path to Ceasefire Amid Ongoing Conflict
In the midst of stalled peace talks between Ukraine and Russia, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met in London to discuss potential solutions.
During their meeting, Starmer expressed the U.K.'s readiness to support further sanctions on Russia should the Kremlin fail to engage in meaningful peace negotiations. He also reminded colleagues that the U.K. stands ready to increase pressure on Russia, particularly on the economy, with sanctions and wider measures as may be necessary.
Zelenskyy, on the other hand, urged the U.K. to join NATO's Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) initiative to provide weapons to Kyiv. The leaders also discussed the continuation of support programs for Ukraine's army and defense industry.
The discussions focused on a viable path to a cease-fire in Ukraine. Zelenskyy stated that effective formats for security cooperation should be achieved within the framework of the "coalition of the willing," a European-led effort to send a peacekeeping force to Ukraine to monitor any deal. The leaders agreed to stay in close touch in the coming days.
Starmer co-chaired a virtual meeting of the "coalition of the willing" on Wednesday, ahead of high-stakes talks between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin set for Friday in Alaska. European leaders are hopeful about the potential for a peace deal after a joint call with Trump, with Trump reportedly telling them his goal for the summit was to secure a cease-fire.
However, as of late August 2025, no direct Russia-Ukraine cease-fire or peace agreement is currently in place. Russia's demands for major concessions and its reluctance to pursue peace until facing significant military pressure or defeat have led to the faltering of U.S.-backed efforts, including tentative security guarantee talks.
Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov insisted on Russia having a veto over Ukraine’s future security arrangements, signaling little interest in a lasting settlement. Subsequently, Russia escalated military action with bombardments including strikes on targets with Western ties on August 21, further undermining peace prospects.
Ukraine has already rejected any proposal that would compromise its borders. Despite these challenges, the leaders remain hopeful that a peaceful resolution can be reached. The U.K. and Ukraine will continue to work together, along with their international partners, to find a solution to this ongoing conflict.
[1] ABC News, "Russia Escalates Military Action in Ukraine," August 21, 2025. [2] The Guardian, "No Breakthrough in Russia-Ukraine Peace Talks," August 25, 2025.
- The U.K., alongside its European allies, is actively discussing strategies to increase pressure on Russia, particularly in the economic sector, as a response to Russia's escalation of military action in Ukraine and its reluctance to pursue peace.
- In the realm of politics, the British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, has shown interest in joining NATO's Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) initiative, which could provide military support to Ukraine, as urged by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
- Amid war-and-conflicts, the general news landscape is filled with updates on peace talks between Ukraine and Russia, with leaders from both nationsstriving to find a peaceful resolution, while also focusing on defense and economic aspects in their negotiations.
