UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer says Europe and the US are “calling Putin out” to agree to a 30-day unconditional ceasefire in Ukraine
Starmer is speaking alongside Volodymyr Zelensky, Emmanuel Macron, Friedrich Merz and Donald Tusk at a press conference in Kyiv – watch live at the top of this page
After a meeting with the “coalition of the willing”, the leaders held a call with US President Donald Trump to discuss a ceasefire in Ukraine from Monday
Earlier, Kremlin press secretary Dmitry Peskov said Ukraine’s allies must stop sending weapons them before any ceasefire can happen
As a reminder, the Kremlin rejected US proposals for a 30-day ceasefire in March after Putin set out a number of tough conditions for peace
Starmer says the five European leaders in Kyiv are clear. If Putin turns his back on peace, they will respond, including increasing sanctions and spending more to help Ukraine’s defence
He adds the UK wants to help Ukraine look to the future with confidence, aiming to boost its economy with the help of UK experts.
“All of us here, together with the US are calling Putin out,” he says.
Starmer adds that, if the Russian leader is “serious about peace”, he has the “chance to show it now” by extending the VE Day pause in fighting to a 30-day unconditional ceasefire with negotiations to follow.
“No ifs, not buts,” Starmer adds.
Macron says Zelensky agreed to a 30-day ceasefire in Jeddah, and US President Donald Trump repeated his support two days ago.
Macron adds that there is now stronger international backing, and the ceasefire would cover sea, land and air.
He also says that if the ceasefire is broken, major sanctions will be prepared and coordinated between European countries and the US.
