British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has called on U.S. President Donald Trump to ensure that Ukraine remains central in any negotiations to end the conflict with Russia.
Speaking on Thursday, February 13, Starmer emphasized that Kyiv must not be sidelined in peace discussions, amid growing concerns in Ukraine and Europe that the United States could broker a deal without their direct involvement.
Recall that President Donald Trump on Wednesday spoke separately to both Russia’s Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy over the phone, saying both had expressed a desire for peace.
“We must make sure that Ukraine is at the heart of this. There can’t be any negotiations without Ukraine being at the heart of it,” Starmer said.
The British Prime Minister is said to have been walking a diplomatic tightrope as he attempts to avoid Trump imposing tariffs on Britain while also pursuing a reset in relations with the European Union, but on the question of Ukraine he said it was vital that the country had a strong position in any talks.
“It’s really important that Ukraine is in the strongest possible position, whether that’s in discussions or whether it’s continued fighting,” Starmer added.
