Keir Starmer squirms as he’s requested about ‘plan B’ on Trump’s Ukraine help | Politics | News | EUROtoday

Sir Keir Starmer was left squirming after he was challenged over what Ukraine’s allies would do if Donald Trump took Vladimir Putin’s aspect in a possible peace deal. The British prime minister was speaking to the media after internet hosting a name between leaders in Europe, Canada, Australia and New Zealand on Saturday (March 15).

He was requested what would occur if Putin did not come to his senses and continued to place “unreasonable” calls for on any ceasefire deal or negotiated settlement to finish the Russia-Ukraine battle. The PM appeared startled when requested what plan B is that if Mr Trump took Putin’s aspect given “uncertainty” over the US chief’s dedication to European defence. The Prime Minister stumbled for phrases, earlier than answering: “Well, firstly, we need to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position for whatever comes next.”

Sir Keir added that London is speaking to Washington on a regular basis and he’s clear Mr Trump is dedicated to securing a long-lasting peace and the whole lot the US President is doing is to attain that consequence.

He went on to say that the particular relationship between the US and UK is as robust because it’s ever been.

During the press convention, Sir Keir mentioned navy chiefs from international locations whose leaders dialled into the decision will quickly talk about what the “coalition of the willing” pressure might do on the bottom.

He mentioned: “The operational meeting is where the discussions are taking place as to what the capabilities will be. I’ve indicated a willingness for the United Kingdom to play a leading role in this and indicated that, if it’s necessary, that will be troops on the ground and planes in the sky.

“There are totally different capabilities from totally different international locations, however these are the operational discussions which can be happening in relation to what this coalition of the keen will be capable of present.”

He added that a deal has to be struck first and pressure needs to be applied to get Russia around the negotiating table.

Sir Keir also told reporters in London that the issue of using frozen Russian assets to support Ukraine’s war effort had been discussed in the call as well as the possibility of imposing further sanctions.

The PM urged Putin to sign up to a ceasefire deal if he is “critical about peace”. His message comes after Putin signalled on Friday (March 14) that he agreed in principle to such a deal, but said there are certain “nuances” on the ground which have to be considered.

This includes Russia’s current advantage in the war, with Russian troops on the brink of reclaiming its Kursk region, which Ukraine has occupied since last summer.

At the end of the virtual meeting with allies in the “coalition of the keen”, Sir Keir said the Kremlin’s “dithering and delay” over Mr Trump’s ceasefire proposal and Russia’s “continued barbaric assaults” on Ukraine ran “completely counter” to Putin’s said need for peace.

About 25 international locations have been concerned within the name, together with France, Italy and Ukraine. Leaders from Australia, Canada and New Zealand, in addition to officers from NATO and the European Union’s government, additionally took half. The United States was not represented on the assembly.