Sir Keir Starmer's Move
Sir Keir Starmer has today announced a new round of Russian sanctions to crank up pressure on Vladimir Putin to "make concessions" in peace talks. The PM also doubled down his pledge to put British troops on the ground in Ukraine despite kickback from other European countries.
Key Points from the Announcement
In a call with Volodymyr Zelensky and other leaders, Sir Keir Starmer said: "Russia does not hold all the cards in this war." This move is seen as a gentle rebuke to Donald Trump, who made contrary statements last week. The US President has thrown geopolitics into disarray by initiating peace talks with Russia, while freezing out the Ukrainians and branding Mr Zelensky a "dictator".
Stressing Support for Ukraine
Sir Keir Starmer emphasized Britain's unwavering support for Ukraine, stating that the UK is ready and willing to support the country with troops on the ground. He also mentioned discussions with the G7 for further steps, including going after Russia's shadow fleet and companies sending military components.
Zelensky's Bold Move
Volodymyr Zelensky has vowed to step down as Ukraine's President in exchange for peace or Nato membership. These shock remarks were made at a press conference over the weekend as he emphasized that Ukraine's security was his priority.
