Ukraine-Russia conflict reside: Starmer slams Putin’s ‘dithering and delay’ techniques as navy chiefs set to fulfill in UK | EUROtoday

Volodymyr Zelensky has accused Russia of “lying to everyone about the situation on the ground” in Ukraine.

He took to social media to reiterate his claims that Ukrainian forces have been nonetheless working within the Kursk area, regardless of experiences that that they had retreated in current days.

He wrote on X: “Putin is also lying about how a ceasefire is supposedly too complicated.

“In actuality, every part could be managed, and we’ve mentioned this with the Americans. The fact is, Putin has already dragged out the conflict for almost every week after the talks in Jeddah. And he’ll hold dragging it out.”

Volodymyr Zelensky has said that the question of territory is “complicated” and should be discussed in detail at a later date.

Speaking during a press conference in Kyiv, the Ukrainian president said Ukraine would never recognise occupied territory as Russian.

• Military chiefs meeting in UK: Plans for a Ukraine peacekeeping force are moving into an “operational section,” with military leaders convening on Thursday to discuss security support.
• International commitment to Ukraine: Sir Keir held talks with Nato, EU leaders, and allies, reaffirming long-term support for Ukraine’s defence and deterrence against future Russian aggression.
• Ceasefire negotiations and pressure on Russia: Leaders welcomed the Jeddah peace agreement and Ukraine’s acceptance of a US-proposed 30-day ceasefire, urging Russia to agree and stop attacks. If Russia refuses, efforts will intensify to strengthen Ukraine and weaken Russia’s war capabilities.
• Sanctions and Russian assets: Discussions included tightening sanctions on Russia and exploring ways to use frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine’s recovery, though legal complexities remain.
• Coalition of the willing and military planning: A growing alliance is making new defence commitments, with discussions on how different countries will contribute military capabilities, potentially including UK troops and aircraft.
• Next steps: The UK will play a leading role in backing a peace deal, with military planning this week to ensure Ukraine’s security, prepare for potential deployment, and monitor any ceasefire violations.

The president of the European Council has said “Russia needs to show real political will to stop the war” following a virtual meeting with 29 other world leaders.

Writing on X, Antonio Costa stated: “Thank you, Keir Starmer, for organising today’s virtual meeting to assess progress and consider next steps after this week’s talks in Jeddah.

“Now Russia needs to show real political will to stop the war.

“We are committed to ensuring that Ukraine is in a position of strength in future peace negotiations.

“The EU actively contributes to strengthening Ukraine and enhancing its defence through political, financial, and military support, to achieve a comprehensive, just and lasting peace.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has told Kyiv’s Western allies that they must “outline a transparent place on safety ensures”, including about basing a troop contingent on Ukrainian soil.

“The contingent have to be stationed on Ukrainian soil,” Zelensky said in a post on X, alongside an image of him taking part in a virtual call with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and other European leaders and other Western allies.

“This is a safety assure for Ukraine and a safety assure for Europe,” he stated.

Sir Keir Starmer has said Ukraine’s allies “must keep increasing pressure on Putin” to engage in ceasefire negotiations.

Writing on X, the prime minister stated: “Today I spoke to world leaders on how we can drive forward action to support a just and lasting peace for Ukraine.

“We must keep increasing the pressure on Putin to come to the table.

“And we must keep strengthening the support to our Ukrainian friends.”

Sir Ed Davey has urged the Prime Minister to seize frozen Russian assets to fund more support for Ukraine.

Responding to Saturday morning’s assembly of the “coalition of the willing”, the Liberal Democrat chief stated: “Putin could end this war today if he wanted peace, but it’s clear he’s only interested in destroying Ukraine’s sovereignty and turning it into a vassal state of Russia.

“The only way to achieve a just and lasting peace is to strengthen Ukraine. We must redouble our efforts to support their defence in the face of Putin’s barbarism. If Ukraine loses, all of Europe will be less secure.

“The PM must now commit to seizing the frozen Russian assets in the UK and forge an agreement to do the same across Europe, to help strengthen Ukraine’s hand and ensure we can achieve real peace.”

Sir Keir Starmer has said military chiefs will discuss what the “coalition of the willing” force could do on the ground.

He advised a press convention on Saturday: “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 different capabilities from different countries, but those are the operational discussions that are going on in relation to what this coalition of the willing will be able to provide.

“But, obviously, we’ve got to get a deal first, so there’s the pressure that needs to be put on to Russia to get around the table, to get the deal, then there’s a question of a ceasefire for a possible short period, and then the lasting peace that we need to see.”

Sir Keir Starmer has said that “new commitments were put on the table” on Saturday.

He stated: “The group that met this morning is a bigger group than we had two weeks ago, there is a stronger collective resolve and new commitments were put on the table this morning, both in relation to the coalition of the willing in terms of defending the deal, also in relation to the wider point, which is the collective defence and security of Europe.

“So, more commitments on the table this morning and an agreement that we now move to the operational phase, which is why the talks on Thursday, the military talks, will become the next focal point.

“There was a wider agreement this morning, which was that the ‘yes, but’ from Russia is not good enough, and we agreed our collective pressure will be put on Russia from all of us who are in the meeting this morning.”