Prime Minister Keir Starmer has indicated a willingness to support a peace deal in Ukraine even without a ceasefire in place, with Downing Street stressing that the Prime Minister remains committed to ensuring long-term security should an agreement be reached.
On Monday, No 10 called for “an end to the killing in Ukraine” but did not repeat its earlier insistence that a ceasefire must precede peace negotiations. The shift comes as global leaders continue to grapple with how to bring the devastating conflict to a close.
President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly rejected demands for an unconditional ceasefire before entering negotiations with Volodymyr Zelensky. Following a summit with President Donald Trump in Alaska last Friday, the US leader dropped his call for an immediate ceasefire, instead moving closer to Putin’s approach—one that could force Ukraine to surrender territory in exchange for halting the fighting.
Concerning whether Britain still supports an immediate ceasefire as a prerequisite for talks, the Prime Minister’s spokesman said: “We are all working towards the same goal, which is ending the killing in Ukraine.”
“We have said we want to see a sustainable and just peace for Ukraine, which ensures peace returns to Europe and the Ukrainian people can live without fear of attack again.”
Prime Minister Keir Starmer
Government Emphasizes Sustainable Peace Goal
Regarding whether this represents a change in the UK’s position, which had previously demanded a “full, unconditional ceasefire to create space for talks on a just and lasting peace”, the spokesman repeated the government’s core line: “We want to bring about an end to the killing.”
“If you can bring about an end to the killing and bring about a sustained peace in one go, then all the better,” he continued.
The spokesman further clarified that Ukraine’s borders remain a matter for Kyiv to decide at the negotiating table, insisting that “international borders must not be changed by force.”
As he prepared to travel to Washington DC to back President Zelensky during high-stakes discussions with President Trump and European allies, Sir Keir underscored the need for fairness in any settlement. “Everybody wants it to end, not least the Ukrainians,” he said in a video message posted on X.
“But we’ve got to get this right. We’ve got to make sure there is peace, that it is lasting peace, and that it is fair and that it is just. That’s why I’m travelling to Washington with other European leaders to discuss this face to face with President Trump and President Zelensky, because it’s in everyone’s interests, it’s in the UK’s interests that we get this right.”
Prime Minister Keir Starmer
Despite President Trump’s suggestion that Ukraine should not be permitted to join NATO, Downing Street reaffirmed Britain’s support for Kyiv’s eventual membership in both NATO and the European Union.
“Russia cannot have a veto against Ukraine’s pathway to the EU or NATO,” the Prime Minister’s spokesman said.
Pressed on whether President Trump might attempt to block membership, the spokesman replied that Britain’s position remains firm: Ukraine is on an “irreversible path” to joining the alliance.
He added that the UK is working “hand in glove” with President Trump on Ukraine, emphasizing that today’s White House talks represent an “important moment on the journey towards lasting peace.”
The spokesman also highlighted the significance of the security assurances being considered by Washington, calling them an “important aspect of the discussions.”
As Britain doubles down on its backing for Kyiv while signaling flexibility in its approach to negotiations, Starmer is positioning himself at the center of efforts to deliver what he insists must be a fair and enduring resolution to the war.
