Lord Peter Mandelson has urged Ukraine to be the first to declare a ceasefire in its ongoing war with Russia, calling for President Volodymyr Zelensky to align with Donald Trump’s proposed minerals deal. This stance has put him at odds with the UK government.
The UK ambassador to the US made the remarks following a heated White House meeting between Zelensky and Trump, which reportedly ended in a shouting match. The dispute centered on Ukraine’s refusal to sign a deal granting American firms access to the country’s valuable mineral resources.
Following the abrupt end to the meeting, Lord Mandelson emphasized the need for what he described as a “very radical reset.”
“The reset has to consist of the US and Ukraine getting back on the same page. And President Zelensky giving his unequivocal backing to the initiative that President Trump is taking to end the war and to bring a just and lasting peace to Ukraine.
“And the Europeans too need to back the calls for a ceasefire. And by the way, I think that Ukraine should be the first to commit to a ceasefire and defy the Russians to follow.”
Lord Peter Mandelson
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey also criticized Mandelson’s remarks, accusing him of creating confusion regarding the UK’s stance.
“What is Mandelson up to? You cannot square what the Prime Minister said this morning with this. What is the Government’s actual position?”
Ed Davey
Sir Ed further asserted that the UK’s focus should be on securing American support for Ukraine’s defense rather than pushing Zelensky to accept Trump’s conditions. “Our man in DC should be securing US protection for our brave Ukrainian allies, not telling President Zelensky what to do,” he wrote.
President Trump has argued that allowing American firms to exploit Ukraine’s mineral wealth would act as a deterrent to Russian aggression, as it would place US personnel and interests directly on Ukrainian soil.
Lord Mandelson supported this reasoning, calling Trump’s plan “the only show in town.” He elaborated, “After what happened on Friday, it’s clear that we need to bring the US and Ukraine back together again.”
“I think the first thing that President Zelensky can do is make clear his commitment to the initiative that President Trump is taking and yes, I do think it would be a good idea if he signed the economic and commercial deal put forward by the US. Quite apart from the economic gain that Ukraine will derive from that, it will also give the US a stake in Ukraine’s future.”
Lord Peter Mandelson
Mandelson argued that the presence of American business and personnel in Ukraine would make it in Washington’s best interest to defend the country against any future threats.
UK Leadership Pushes Alternative Peace Plan
However, UK officials have distanced themselves from Mandelson’s position. Armed Forces Minister Luke Pollard said, “That is not government policy … We are seeking to find that lasting peace.” He acknowledged Ukraine’s strong desire for peace but emphasized that discussions with European and American allies were still ongoing.
Former Foreign Secretary James Cleverly also weighed in, criticizing Mandelson for overstepping his role. “The UK ambassador to Washington isn’t meant to communicate his own opinion, he is meant to communicate the UK government opinion.” He urged Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Prime Minister Keir Starmer to “grip this.”
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has called for a European-led approach to peace in Ukraine.
“We are at a crossroads in history today. This is not a moment for more talk. It’s time to act. Time to step up and lead and to unite around a new plan for a just and enduring peace.”
Keir Starmer
He further outlined efforts by Britain, France, and other European nations to present an alternative peace framework to Washington. “We are prepared to back this with boots on the ground and planes in the air, together with others. Europe must do the heavy lifting.”
READ ALSO: Tanko-Computer: ‘Ghanaians Are Breathing an Air of Freedom’
