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‘Sooner or Later’ Russia Must Agree to Peace Talks: Starmer
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer urged global leaders to continue pushing for a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine, stressing that "sooner or later," Russia will have to engage in peace talks to end the ongoing conflict.
Starmer made his remarks during a virtual meeting on Saturday, which included European leaders, as well as representatives from Australia, New Zealand, and Canada, but notably excluded the United States. He stated, "Sooner or later, [Putin] is going to have to come to the table."
The meeting, described as a "coalition of the willing," focused on efforts to bring an end to the war that began when Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022.
Earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump had called on Russia to accept a ceasefire deal negotiated by U.S. and Ukrainian delegations in Saudi Arabia. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also stated that “the ball is in Russia's court” regarding peace talks.
While Russian President Vladimir Putin has acknowledged the concept of a ceasefire, he insists that several conditions must be met before agreeing to any terms. In a recent video address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy criticized Putin for stalling, stating that the Russian leader's demands are so extensive that “nothing will work out at all.”
Meanwhile, the U.S. has imposed additional sanctions on Russia’s oil, gas, and financial sectors.
The Saturday meeting also touched on future military and financial support for Ukraine, as well as concerns regarding Ukraine’s security in the event of a peace deal. Zelenskyy attended the virtual session, emphasizing Ukraine’s continued need for international backing.