Keir Starmer to join European leaders for Trump-Zelensky meeting in Washington
The US president is said to be mulling over Russia's demands to bring an end to the war, which include a land grab of two occupied Ukrainian regions: Donetsk and Luhansk.
President Donald Trump listens during a news conference with Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson in Alaska on Friday (Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP)
Several media outlets have reported Mr Trump is planning to urge his Ukrainian counterpart to agree to the conditions as part of a peace deal to end the war.
The meeting follows the US president's summit with Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday, where little in the way of progress appeared to be made.
However in the summit's aftermath, Mr Trump appeared to adopt a change of tone in his language about brokering a peace, moving away from insisting that a ceasefire is needed before a long-term agreement to end the war is made.
This appeared to echo Mr Putin's refusal to lay down arms ahead of a sustained peace.
Other leaders making the journey to Washington with Sir Keir include France's Emmanuel Macron, Germany's Friedrich Merz, Finland's Alexander Stubb, EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and Nato chief Mark Rutte.
A firefighter puts out a blaze after a Russian drone hit a market in the town of Druzhkivka in the Donetsk region of Ukraine (Oleg Petrasiuk/Ukraine's 24th Mechanized Brigade via AP)
The leaders are likely travelling to the White House with the aim of avoiding a repeat performance of February's public bust-up between Mr Zelensky and the American president, after which Mr Trump temporarily suspended aid to Ukraine.
Downing Street insisted Sir Keir and other allies stand ready to support the next phase of talks to end the war.
On Saturday Sir Keir commended Mr Trump for bringing the conflict 'closer than ever' to an end.
The Prime Minister, along with France and Germany's leaders, will host a call of the coalition of the willing on Sunday afternoon.
The coalition force aims to police a future peace deal by putting troops on the ground in Ukraine to deter Russian aggression.
European leaders on Saturday suggested Mr Trump had indicated he is now willing to provide American air support for the alliance, a 'security guarantee' said to be vital to its operation.
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The Independent
a few seconds ago
- The Independent
Ukraine needs long-term security guarantees, Taoiseach says
International borders must not be changed by force, the Taoiseach has said, ahead of a meeting between the presidents of the United States and Ukraine. Micheal Martin attended a virtual leaders' meeting of the so-called 'coalition of the willing' in support of Ukraine on Sunday. The call was convened by Sir Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. On Monday, Volodymyr Zelensky is meeting Donald Trump with several EU leaders, including Sir Keir, also travelling to Washington DC in a show of solidarity with the Ukrainian president. Mr Martin, who will not be in Washington, said he had assured Mr Zelensky on Sunday that Ireland will 'continue to steadfastly support Ukraine'. EU leaders have agreed that sanctions and wider economic measures 'will be reinforced' if Russia continues its military action. The Taoiseach also said that he believes Ukraine needs 'long-term security guarantees'. Speaking after Sunday's online conference, Mr Martin said: 'I welcomed the opportunity to join other European leaders today to discuss developments on ending the war in Ukraine. 'We had a very useful engagement with President Zelensky as he prepares to meet with President Trump tomorrow in Washington. 'I welcome the initiative by President Trump to seek the ending of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. Ireland, together with our European partners, continues to contribute to these efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace for Ukraine.' The meeting of European leaders follows the US president's summit with Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday. Mr Martin said it is 'essential that Ukraine is a full participant' in any discussions regarding its future. He said: 'I therefore welcome that President Zelensky will meet with President Trump in Washington tomorrow, together with other European leaders. Mr Martin said he stressed that international law and principles of independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity need to be respected for security in the region. 'It will be up to Ukraine to make decisions on its territory. International borders must not be changed by force. 'I fully agree that Ukraine needs strong, credible, long-term security guarantees. This will mean sustained support from Europe, the United States and other partners. 'Ireland stands ready to play our part. Earlier this year we committed to providing non-lethal military support to Ukraine and we will look to do more. 'At today's meeting, I also reiterated Ireland's readiness to contribute to any peacekeeping force that is in line with the UN Charter.' The Taoiseach said Ireland will also continue to support Ukraine's EU membership ambitions, adding that Russia 'cannot have a veto' on the matter. 'Our joint efforts for peace should be combined with firm and co-ordinated pressure on Russia to agree to a ceasefire and engage seriously with negotiations on a just and lasting peace. 'We agreed today that sanctions and wider economic measures will be reinforced if Russia does not stop the killing. 'The human dimension and accountability must also be at the centre of a just and lasting peace for Ukraine. 'Russia must urgently return Ukrainian children who they have abducted as well as prisoners of war and civilians being held unlawfully.'
Daily Record
a few seconds ago
- Daily Record
Keir Starmer to join European leaders for Trump-Zelensky meeting in Washington
The Prime Minister and a host of European leaders will travel to Washington DC in a show of solidarity with the Ukrainian leader. Sir Keir Starmer will join Volodymyr Zelensky and European leaders for a meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday, Downing Street has said. The Prime Minister and a host of European leaders will travel to Washington DC in a show of solidarity with the Ukrainian leader, whose last visit to the Oval Office ended in a tumultuous spat with Mr Trump. The US president is said to be mulling over Russia's demands to bring an end to the war, which include a land grab of two occupied Ukrainian regions: Donetsk and Luhansk. Several media outlets have reported Mr Trump is planning to urge his Ukrainian counterpart to agree to the conditions as part of a peace deal to end the war. The meeting follows the US president's summit with Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday, where little in the way of progress appeared to be made. However in the summit's aftermath, Mr Trump appeared to adopt a change of tone in his language about brokering a peace deal, moving away from insisting that a ceasefire is needed before a long-term agreement to end the war is made. This appeared to echo Mr Putin 's refusal to lay down arms ahead of a sustained peace. Other leaders making the journey to Washington with Sir Keir include France's Emmanuel Macron, Germany's Friedrich Merz, Finland's Alexander Stubb, EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and Nato chief Mark Rutte. The leaders are likely travelling to the White House with the aim of avoiding a repeat performance of February's public bust-up between Mr Zelensky and the American president, after which Mr Trump temporarily suspended aid to Ukraine. Downing Street insisted Sir Keir and other allies stand ready to support the next phase of talks to end the war. "At the meeting that will take place at the White House tomorrow, the Prime Minister, with other European partners, stands ready to support this next phase of further talks and will reaffirm that his backing for Ukraine will continue as long as it takes," a statement from No 10 said. Speaking in Brussels, Ms von der Leyen said Ukraine cannot be carved up without it having a seat at the table in negotiations. Standing alongside Mr Zelensky at a press conference ahead of the so-called coalition of the willing meeting, the EU chief said: "With regards to any territorial questions in Ukraine, our position is clear: international borders cannot be changed by force. These are decisions to be made by Ukraine and Ukraine alone, and these decisions cannot be taken without Ukraine at the table." On Saturday Sir Keir commended Mr Trump for bringing the conflict "closer than ever" to an end. The Prime Minister, along with France and Germany's leaders, will host a call of the coalition of the willing on Sunday afternoon. The coalition force aims to police a future peace deal by putting troops on the ground in Ukraine to deter Russian aggression. European leaders on Saturday suggested Mr Trump had indicated he is now willing to provide American air support for the alliance, a "security guarantee" said to be vital to its operation. Steve Witkoff, Mr Trump's special envoy, said Mr Putin had agreed to Nato-like protection for Ukraine for the first time at the Alaska summit. "We were able to win the following concession: That the United States could offer Article 5-like protection, which is one of the real reasons why Ukraine wants to be in Nato," he told CNN. Writing on social media on Sunday morning, the Ukrainian leader railed against Russia's refusal to lay down arms temporarily before agreeing to end the war. Mr Zelensky said: "We see that Russia rebuffs numerous calls for a ceasefire and has not yet determined when it will stop the killing. "This complicates the situation." He added: "If they lack the will to carry out a simple order to stop the strikes, it may take a lot of effort to get Russia to have the will to implement far greater - peaceful coexistence with its neighbours for decades. "But together we are working for peace and security. Stopping the killing is a key element of stopping the war." Mr Zelensky was expected to attend Sunday afternoon's video call with leaders from the coalition of the willing, which was scheduled to begin at 2pm UK time.
Western Telegraph
25 minutes ago
- Western Telegraph
Ukraine needs long-term security guarantees, Taoiseach says
Micheal Martin attended a virtual leaders' meeting of the so-called 'coalition of the willing' in support of Ukraine on Sunday. The call was convened by Sir Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. I welcomed the opportunity to join other European leaders today to discuss developments on ending the war in Ukraine. We had a very useful engagement with President Zelenskyy as he prepares to meet with President Trump tomorrow in Washington. — Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) August 17, 2025 On Monday, Volodymyr Zelensky is meeting Donald Trump with several EU leaders, including Sir Keir, also travelling to Washington DC in a show of solidarity with the Ukrainian president. Mr Martin, who will not be in Washington, said he had assured Mr Zelensky on Sunday that Ireland will 'continue to steadfastly support Ukraine'. EU leaders have agreed that sanctions and wider economic measures 'will be reinforced' if Russia continues its military action. The Taoiseach also said that he believes Ukraine needs 'long-term security guarantees'. Donald Trump, right, shakes the hand of Russia's President Vladimir Putin during a joint press conference in Alaska following their talks over Ukraine (Jae C Hong/AP) Speaking after Sunday's online conference, Mr Martin said: 'I welcomed the opportunity to join other European leaders today to discuss developments on ending the war in Ukraine. 'We had a very useful engagement with President Zelensky as he prepares to meet with President Trump tomorrow in Washington. 'I welcome the initiative by President Trump to seek the ending of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. Ireland, together with our European partners, continues to contribute to these efforts to achieve a just and lasting peace for Ukraine.' The meeting of European leaders follows the US president's summit with Russian leader Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday. I also reiterated Ireland's readiness to contribute to any peacekeeping force that is in line with the UN Charter Micheal Martin Mr Martin said it is 'essential that Ukraine is a full participant' in any discussions regarding its future. He said: 'I therefore welcome that President Zelensky will meet with President Trump in Washington tomorrow, together with other European leaders. Mr Martin said he stressed that international law and principles of independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity need to be respected for security in the region. 'It will be up to Ukraine to make decisions on its territory. International borders must not be changed by force. 'I fully agree that Ukraine needs strong, credible, long-term security guarantees. This will mean sustained support from Europe, the United States and other partners. 'Ireland stands ready to play our part. Earlier this year we committed to providing non-lethal military support to Ukraine and we will look to do more. 'At today's meeting, I also reiterated Ireland's readiness to contribute to any peacekeeping force that is in line with the UN Charter.' French President Emmanuel Macron attending the video conference with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky (Philippe Magoni/AP) The Taoiseach said Ireland will also continue to support Ukraine's EU membership ambitions, adding that Russia 'cannot have a veto' on the matter. 'Our joint efforts for peace should be combined with firm and co-ordinated pressure on Russia to agree to a ceasefire and engage seriously with negotiations on a just and lasting peace. 'We agreed today that sanctions and wider economic measures will be reinforced if Russia does not stop the killing. 'The human dimension and accountability must also be at the centre of a just and lasting peace for Ukraine. 'Russia must urgently return Ukrainian children who they have abducted as well as prisoners of war and civilians being held unlawfully.'
