Vladimir Putin issued peace talks warning as European foreign leaders meet in UK
Ukraine's allies on Monday joined together to pile pressure on Russian President Putin, calling on him to show "without delay' he is willing to broker peace in Ukraine
Vladimir Putin must "get serious" about engaging in peace talks, David Lammy has warned.
Ukraine 's allies on Monday joined together to pile pressure on the Russian President, calling on him to show "without delay' he is willing to broker peace in Ukraine. The Foreign Secretary hailed Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky for his "willingness to engage in talks" ahead of a gathering of European foreign ministers in London.
Mr Lammy hosted his counterparts from France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Poland and the EU, where they discussed the future of Ukraine and security in Europe after a weekend diplomatic blitz by world leaders.
After the meeting, Kyiv's leading European allies said any talks between Mr Zelensky and Putin must be accompanied by a truce. It comes after the Ukrainian President called on his Russian counterpart to meet him face-to-face this Thursday in Turkey. But Russia has said there can be no preconditions for talks and bombarded Ukraine with more than 100 drones overnight.
In a statement released after talks by the Weimar+ group of nations at Lancaster House in central London, the foreign ministers said Russia "has not shown any serious intent to make progress".
In an effort to pile pressure on Putin, they added: "It must do so without delay. We joined Ukraine in calling for an immediate, full, unconditional 30-day ceasefire to create space for talks on a just, comprehensive and lasting peace."
Peace will only last if "Ukraine is able to deter and defend against any future Russian attack", they added. They also said Kyiv "should be confident in its ability to continue to resist successfully Russian aggression" with support from its allies.
Several European leaders at the London gathering indicated they wanted to see Russia stop its attacks on Ukraine before peace talks could begin in earnest between the two leaders. Mr Lammy earlier added: "This is the time for Vladimir Putin to get serious about peace in Europe, to get serious about a ceasefire, and to get serious about talks.'
Mr Starmer travelled to Kyiv on Saturday alongside his French, German and Polish counterparts for talks with Mr Zelensky about the coalition of the willing plans. Speaking at a press conference in the Ukrainian capital, the Prime Minister said that European allies "together with the US" are "calling Putin out".
He urged him to accept the 30-day truce and vowed to ramp up sanctions further if he "turns his back on peace".
Meanwhile Donald Trump, who is expected to be in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates on Thursday, floated making a detour to Turkey to join any potential talks between Ukraine and Russia.
The US president said on Sunday afternoon that Ukraine should agree to Mr Putin's request for talks "immediately" and that he is "starting to doubt" whether Kyiv is willing to make a deal with Russia.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
2 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Prince William gives emotional plea to world leaders urging them to act to save the planet
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) THE Prince of Wales said watching humans destroy our oceans was 'simply heartbreaking' as he urged world leaders to act by thinking big yesterday. William's call came in a speech to the Blue Economy and Finance Forum on ocean preservation at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco after meeting France's President Emmanuel Macron. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Prince William said watching humans destroy our oceans was 'simply heartbreaking' as he urged world leaders to act 2 Prince William meets France's President Emmanuel Macron Credit: Reuters The prince, whose opening and closing remarks were in French, said those attending were 'united by our deep connection to the ocean and our concern for its safety'. William, in navy suit with a recycled sustainable tie from Wilmok, said the clock was ticking on meeting the target agreed at the 2022 UN Biodiversity Summit aiming to protect at least 30 per cent of the world's land and sea by 2030. Speaking at the heads of state and government session on the forum's final day, the prince added: 'Watching human activity reduce beautiful sea forests to barren deserts at the base of our oceans is simply heartbreaking. 'For the future of our planet, for the future generations, we must listen to the words of Sir David Attenborough: 'If we save the sea, we save our world'. 'I call on all of you to think big in your actions.' World leaders were greeted by a blue carpet as they arrived at the event, with William chatting with Mr Macron and other dignitaries. Addressing an audience of 1,800, William said: 'Rising sea temperatures, plastic pollution and overfishing are putting pressure on fragile ecosystems. 'What once seemed an abundant resource is diminishing before our eyes. "We all stand to be impacted. And we are all responsible for change — both negative and positive. "But there remains time to turn this tide.' Wills jokes 'families can be a mixed bag - some of them might not want to see you much' Later, William said he went through a range of emotions when he saw Sir David's new Ocean film. He told Enric Sala, who worked on the film: 'I got angry, then sad, then I got frustrated, then I got happy.' Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme - Sun Club.
Scottish Sun
3 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Fury as taxpayers forking out £1million a WEEK to migrant-chasing lawyers
'It's clear that too many lawyers in the system are raking it in from public funds' CASHING IN Fury as taxpayers forking out £1million a WEEK to migrant-chasing lawyers TAXPAYERS are forking out £1million a week to migrant-chasing lawyers. Some £54.2million last year went to legal teams seeking to thwart deportations or argue asylum seekers should remain. Advertisement Campaigners say solicitors are lining their pockets by convincing clients to mount appeals. Between March and December last year alone, some 45,787 Legal Aid claims were granted at an average cost of £827 per case. It means solicitors pocket public cash — at £52 an hour — even if their clients have no realistic cases. Bizarre excuses include the case of woman-beating Konrad Makocki, 37, who used European human rights laws to say he had to be near his twin sister. Advertisement Figures seen by The Sun show the cost of operating the judiciary in the Immigration and Asylum Tribunal Chamber hit £53.5million in the year to March, whilst staffing appeals cost £31.4million. And rates are set to rise. Former minister Sir Alec Shelbrooke said: 'It's clear that too many lawyers in the system are raking it in from public funds. 'You'd hope the government would realise that the system is ripe for exploitation, but I have serious doubts that lefty lawyer Sir Keir would do anything other than side with his own chums.' Advertisement A Government spokeswoman said: 'We are restoring order to this system, with a rapid increase in asylum decision-making.' Fury as hotel firm housing asylum seekers in 'all-inclusive resorts' paid £700M a year of YOUR money
Scottish Sun
4 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
UK's ‘outrageous' migrant hotel bill revealed & it takes every penny in tax from all people in city as big as MANCHESTER
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) BRITAIN'S £4.7billion annual bill to keep migrants in hotels and look after them takes every penny of tax from 582,000 workers. The shocking new statistic is equivalent to every grafter in Manchester stumping up for asylum seekers through their pay packet. 4 Britain's £4.7billion annual bill to keep migrants in hotels and look after them takes every penny of tax from 582,000 workers 4 The shocking new statistic is equivalent to every grafter in Manchester stumping up for asylum seekers through their pay packet Credit: Getty 4 Jamie Jenkins, who did the research, said: 'This isn't just unsustainable. It's outrageous' Credit: PA Jamie Jenkins, who did the research, said: 'This isn't just unsustainable. It's outrageous. "A government that borrows billions each year, can't control borders, and taxes its citizens to pay for hotel rooms and housing for people who've just arrived is not working for the British public. 'It's time for a system that protects the people who pay in. That rewards contribution. That puts citizens first." Latest figures show there were 32,345 asylum seekers staying in up to 220 hotel. It costs £41,000 a year to house each, up from £17,000 in 2020. Ex-Office for National Statistics analyst Mr Jenkins found the average UK salary was £38,224. Each worker pays income tax and National Insurance contributions of £8,081. So 582,000's entire tax bills go on housing migrants — equal to the working population of Manchester. And it is significantly larger than the employed populations of Nottingham, Sheffield and Leeds. The total is also higher than the tax contributions of every UK mechanic and HGV driver combined. A total £4.7billion went on asylum support in 2023-24 — £3.1billion on accomodation. 13 migrants jumped from the back of a lorry at a Sainsbury's distribution centre in South East London The rest went on grants to local authorities, running sites like the disused Bibby Stockholm barge in Dorset, plus £49-a-week subsistence allowance. The £4.7billion total was up from 2022-23's £3.6bn. Nearly 15,000 people have crossed to Dover in 2025, up 42 per cent on this time year. French cops, given £480million of UK taxpayer cash, are failing to intercept them.
