Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky travels to London on Monday for what a senior UK minister describes as a "pivotal moment" in peace efforts. He will meet with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz at Downing Street to discuss peace proposals and Ukraine's post-war security.
The talks come as US and Ukrainian negotiators continue discussions in Florida on a Washington-backed peace plan. Russia has rejected parts of the American proposal and recently launched a massive drone and missile attack targeting Ukraine's energy infrastructure.
UK pushes for security guarantees
Cabinet minister Pat McFadden said on Sky News' Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips that Ukraine must be able to decide its own future. He stressed the need for more than just an end to fighting: «This is a really pivotal moment now. Everybody wants the war to come to an end, but they want it to come to an end in a way that gives Ukraine that freedom of choice in the future.»
McFadden emphasized: «So, that means not just an end to the war but also security guarantees for Ukraine in the future, and not a completely toothless organisation which is unable to decide its future.»
Coalition for Ukrainian security
The UK has consistently advocated that any peace deal must include security guarantees for Ukraine from both the US and a British-French-led "coalition of the willing." Starmer previously urged leaders of coalition countries to solidify commitments for a potential peacekeeping force in the event of a ceasefire.
Russia continues to demand significant portions of Ukrainian territory and has rejected the stationing of allied troops in Ukraine. Negotiators in Florida acknowledged that real progress depends on Russia's readiness to show serious commitment to long-term peace.
McFadden affirmed that any settlement should not "reward Russian aggression" and that Ukraine could rely on the UK's "strong solidarity."
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
