Vladimir Putin has signalled his agreement in principle to a 30-day ceasefire with Ukraine as Downing Street gave a stark warning that continued warfare would « cripple » Russia’s economy through sanctions.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has emphasised the urgency of a peace deal in Ukraine to prevent President Putin’s war from maintaining a « choke hold » on Europe.
The potential for a 30-day truce emerged from talks between the US and Ukraine, prompting President Joe Biden to dispatch envoy Steve Witkoff to Moscow to deliberate the proposal with Kremlin officials.
At a press conference in Moscow, the Russian leader discussed the proposal saying « the idea itself is correct, and we certainly support it », but noting: « there are issues that we need to discuss, and I think that we need to discuss it with our American colleagues and partners ».
Putin and his allies have claimed that Ukraine seeks the ceasefire as a tactical break for its forces to regroup and rearm, especially as they face setbacks and retreats from the Kursk region following their advance into Russian territory.
Sir Keir has underlined the need for a durable peace that would thwart any future ambitions Putin might harbour to subjugate his neighbour.
Starmer said: « I profoundly believe that if we don’t secure a just peace and a lasting peace, then that insecurity, which we’ve already felt, will continue. »
Sir Keir also warned that the consequences of not securing a lasting peace in Ukraine would be dire for the UK, adding: « And that means, here, higher prices, higher bills, the cost-of-living crisis going on for even longer if you like, a choke hold on our future, which will be much, much harder for us to tackle. »
He continued: « We know some basics: Putin’s appetite for conflict and for chaos is already there, and it will only grow. And Russia is already menacing our skies, our waters, our streets and our national security. »
He added any peace deal would have to allow Ukraine to be « sovereign and secure » and defended his decision to offer British troops to a peacekeeping force to secure an agreement, citing the need to ensure that any settlement is enforced.
He said: « There have been settlements in Ukraine before which had not been backed up. Nobody’s defended the deal, and Putin has just crossed the line again when he wants to. »
Meanwhile, Mr Trump has signalled a threat of further sanctions on Moscow in a push for a deal, saying he could « do things financially » that would be « very bad for Russia« .
In response to questions about whether the UK would ramp up sanctions if the Kremlin rejected the proposal, Downing Street said that ongoing pressure from the US, UK, and Europe would cripple Mr Putin’s income streams. A Number 10 spokesman said: « President Trump’s leadership to suffocate Russia‘s economy is welcome, ».
The spokesman also emphasised the need for continued pressure on Putin, saying: « President Putin’s barbaric war in Ukraine and ongoing aggression across the world has impacted hard-working people globally. That includes in the US.
« Since Putin launched his invasion, we’ve seen prices at the pump increase and the cost of heating homes soar, and that’s why, through ongoing US, UK and European pressure, we’re ensuring that Putin faces further financial pain, crippling his income streams and strangling the finance flows to his war chest. »
Ukraine‘s President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed: « We hope that US pressure will be sufficient to compel Russia to end the war. »
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