UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has reaffirmed that any decision on ending the Russia-Ukraine war must be made by Ukraine itself, despite growing international pressure surrounding a leaked US peace proposal.
Speaking to reporters after landing in South Africa for the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg, Starmer addressed questions about the draft US plan aimed at ending the conflict. He emphasized that the priority remains achieving a “just and lasting peace,” but stressed that such an outcome “must be determined by Ukraine.”
The comments come as Kyiv faces mounting pressure to respond to a settlement framework reportedly supported by Washington and backed by Moscow.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been holding a flurry of diplomatic calls with European and NATO leaders as he evaluates the proposal. According to his office, Zelensky has already discussed the plan with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President António Costa, and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte.
Earlier today, Zelensky also spoke with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron, and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
“Numerous meetings and phone calls are planned for the next few days. Teams from Ukraine, the US, and Europe will be working together,” Zelensky’s office said in a statement, indicating intense consultations ahead.
