Keir Starmer Slams Putin as ‘Not a Serious Player’ — Demands He Takes This Urgent Step

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said Russia should be given a deadline to start serious peace talks with Ukraine. Speaking at a European leaders’ meeting in Paris, he said President Putin is not serious about peace and that his promises are empty.

Sir Keir met with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy and French President Macron as part of his effort to build a group of countries ready to support Ukraine. He also announced that British military leaders will soon visit Ukraine to help plan how to support a possible ceasefire. European leaders accused Russia of wasting time and not being honest during the peace process.

He said Putin’s actions follow a familiar pattern and added that earlier in the week, over 200 military planners from 30 countries met in London to plan support for Ukraine—covering areas like logistics, coordination, and military deployment on land, air, and sea. He said that work is moving quickly and that they’ll be ready to act once a peace deal is reached. He also said it’s important to make sure Ukraine stays safe from future attacks.

When asked about setting a deadline for Russia, Starmer said he didn’t want to give a strict one but made it clear that progress should happen in a matter of days or weeks, not drag on for months.

Later, after walking through Paris with Zelenskyy, Starmer again confirmed Britain’s support. He said the group of countries supporting Ukraine is bigger than ever, including 30 nations, NATO, and the EU. He stressed that Russia is clearly trying to delay progress and play games, and leaders must respond firmly.

He outlined the need for more support for Ukraine, said sanctions on Russia should stay in place, and emphasized the importance of being ready to maintain peace using military power if needed.

Speaking directly to President Zelenskyy, Starmer said the UK fully supports Ukraine and will continue to do so for as long as it takes.

Zelenskyy thanked him and praised the support from both the UK and France. He highlighted that no sanctions should be lifted until Russia ends the war. He also mentioned new aid packages from some countries and said it’s clear to everyone that Russia is not interested in peace. He added that Ukraine and its allies will keep working on long-term security plans in the coming days.

Starmer said that if the UK ever decides to send troops to Ukraine on a long-term basis, Parliament would get to vote on the decision.

Meanwhile, President Zelenskyy accused Russia of breaking a ceasefire by attacking an energy facility in the Kherson region and urged the United States to respond. European leaders agreed that sanctions on Russia should remain, although French President Macron noted there’s still no agreement across Europe on sending troops to enforce a peace deal.

Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni, who supports Donald Trump, said her country won’t send troops and called for the US to be involved in the next meeting.