UK PM Starmer Affirms Every Negotiation Must Involve Ukraine

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. (Wikimedia Commons/Simon Dawson/No 10 Downing Street)

JAKARTA - British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Sunday there would be no talk of Ukraine's future without Ukraine's participation, delivering its stance before a meeting with United States President Donald Trump this week.

"No one wants the bloodshed to continue. Nobody, especially Ukrainians," he said at a conference by the Scottish Labor Party in Glasgow.

"However, after everything they have suffered, after everything they have fought for, there will be no discussion about Ukraine without Ukraine, and the Ukrainian people must have a safe future in the long term," continued PM Starmer.

PM Starmer plans to visit Washington on Thursday. Apart from Prime Minister Starmer, President Trump plans to accept French President Emmanuel Macron this Monday.

The two leaders are expected to try to convince President Trump not to rush into a ceasefire agreement with Russian President Vladimir Putin in any way, engage Europe in the process, as well as discuss military guarantees for Ukraine.

On Friday, President Trump told the 'Brian Kilmeade Show' on Fox News Audio, PM Starmer and President Macron "has not done anything" to end the war in Ukraine.

PM Starmer said on Sunday the need to maintain solidarity with Ukraine was not only morally true, but also for Britain's national interest.

"Unstability in Europe always has an impact on our beaches, and this is a cross-generational moment," he said.

On the same occasion, PM Starmer said he supported US calls for Europe to take on greater responsibility for its security, with Britain taking on a major role.

"We must be ready to play our part if troops are needed in Ukraine once the peace agreement is reached, and we must be ready to reshape our economy with industry policy, to defend Ukraine, to defend Europe, but most importantly to defend our security."