UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer will host virtual talks on Tuesday with the "coalition of the willing" following what he described as "significant progress" in weekend negotiations on a Ukraine peace plan in Geneva.
The move comes after intensive discussions between US and Ukrainian officials yielded what US Secretary of State Marco Rubio called "tremendous" advancement toward ending Russia's nearly four-year war against Ukraine. «Talks in Geneva are ongoing, and we are making progress, and that is a good thing,» Starmer told broadcasters on Monday.
The breakthrough follows weeks of tension over an initial 28-point US peace proposal that European leaders and Ukraine rejected as too pro-Russian. The original draft suggested Ukraine slash its armed forces, cede territory to Moscow, and abandon NATO membership plans.
Plan undergoes major revisions
The White House confirmed Monday that "revisions and clarifications" had been made to address "all of their principal concerns" from Ukraine. German Foreign Minister Johannes Wadephul said on public broadcaster Deutschlandradio: «I would like to say that all issues concerning Europe or NATO have been removed from this plan, which is a decisive success that we achieved yesterday.»
European officials pushed for Ukraine to maintain a larger military than initially proposed and insisted territorial discussions start from current frontlines rather than predetermined areas.
Starmer emphasized both elements of the diplomatic goal matter equally. «Both of those words matter. It's got to be just, and obviously matters for Ukraine have to be determined by Ukraine, but it's also got to be lasting and it's got to endure,» he said.
Outstanding issues remain
Despite the progress, Starmer's official spokesman acknowledged "some outstanding issues" still need resolution. «Of course, there are some outstanding issues, but as both countries have set out, intensive work on the peace plan will continue in the coming days and weeks,» the spokesman said Monday.
US President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social overnight: «Is it really possible that big progress is being made in Peace Talks between Russia and Ukraine??? Don't believe it until you see it, but something good just may be happening. GOD BLESS AMERICA!»
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated late Sunday that diplomacy has been «reinvigorated, and that's good. Very good,» though he added Monday that «to achieve real peace, more is needed.»
War continues as talks proceed
The diplomatic efforts unfold as Russia maintains deadly strikes on Ukrainian cities. Overnight drone attacks on Kharkiv killed four people and wounded 13, including two children, according to regional military administration head Oleh Syniehubov. Eight residential buildings, an educational facility and power lines were damaged.
Ukraine's air force reported Russia fired 162 strike and decoy drones overnight. Russian forces also resumed attacks on Ukrainian civilian and port infrastructure near Romania's border, prompting Romania to scramble two Eurofighter Typhoon jets and two F-16s.
The coalition of the willing comprises more than 30 nations committed to supporting Ukraine and potentially policing any peace agreement. Starmer leads the group alongside French President Emmanuel Macron.
«So progress, yes, more work to do, but we've all got our sleeves rolled up, ready to put in those hard yards, hopefully to get to the right outcome,» Starmer said.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
