British Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke separately with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US President Donald Trump on Saturday, as diplomatic activity intensified around Washington’s proposed peace plan for ending the Russia-Ukraine war. A Downing Street spokesperson said Starmer used his call with Zelenskyy to reaffirm the United Kingdom’s unwavering commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and long-term security, assuring him that London would continue to stand firmly behind Kyiv.
Starmer later held a discussion with President Trump, during which the two leaders focused on the emerging US peace proposal. They agreed that British and American officials would coordinate closely during the high-stakes Geneva meeting scheduled for Sunday, where senior representatives from both countries—along with France, Germany and Ukraine—are expected to scrutinise and possibly revise key elements of the draft plan.
Speaking a day earlier at the G20 summit in South Africa, Starmer had underscored that Ukraine must retain full agency over decisions affecting its territorial integrity and future, stressing that “all matters to do with Ukraine must be determined ultimately by Ukraine.” His remarks came amid growing concern among European allies that the current US proposal may tilt too heavily in Russia’s favour.
Western leaders meeting privately on the sidelines of the G20 adopted a joint position, acknowledging that while the US draft contains several components essential for constructing a lasting peace, it remains only “a basis which will require additional work.” The statement, signed by leaders from the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, Finland, Ireland, Norway, Canada, Japan and senior EU officials, affirmed that no internationally recognised borders can be altered by force and that any provisions affecting NATO or EU security frameworks would require their consent.
A Ukrainian official later confirmed that Kyiv’s negotiators will meet their American counterparts in Switzerland in the coming days to continue examining the plan. Leaked portions of the draft suggest it would compel Ukraine to withdraw from certain areas of the Donbas region, limit its military size, and forgo its ambition to join NATO—terms seen in Kyiv as concessions to Moscow. The United States has reportedly given Ukraine until Thursday to issue its formal response.
