British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has called for stronger economic sanctions on Russia to force President Vladimir Putin to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine.
Speaking in Paris, where he met with European leaders, Starmer accused Putin of delaying peace talks while demanding that sanctions be lifted.
“Now is not the time for pulling back or weakening sanctions – now is the time to increase them to get Russia to the table,” Starmer stated. He emphasized that Europe must apply greater economic pressure, including tougher sanctions on Russian energy revenues.
The Paris summit, co-hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron, brought together leaders from 30 nations, the European Union, and NATO.
Discussions focused on accelerating support for Ukraine and outlining a framework for peace negotiations. Starmer said leaders agreed on the need to intensify efforts to pressure Russia into a serious peace process.
Macron reinforced the message, stating that European nations had reached a unanimous decision to maintain sanctions against Moscow. He also suggested that a European reassurance force could respond if attacked by Russian forces.
The UK will chair the next Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting, where dozens of nations will discuss further military aid for Kyiv. Starmer also disclosed that defense chiefs from the UK, France, and Germany would meet in Ukraine, though he did not specify when.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who attended the summit, expressed appreciation for the ongoing support. He criticized Russia’s tactics, saying Moscow had no genuine interest in peace and was prolonging the war. Zelensky noted that security guarantees for Ukraine would be a key topic in upcoming discussions.
Russia and Ukraine have accused each other of violating a tentative agreement aimed at halting strikes on energy infrastructure. The United States facilitated the Black Sea deal earlier this week, following separate negotiations with both nations in Saudi Arabia.
However, the Kremlin stated the ceasefire would not take effect unless sanctions on Russian banks and agricultural exports were lifted.
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Moscow has demanded that Russian banks involved in agrifood trade be reconnected to the Swift payment system. It also seeks the removal of restrictions on Russian-flagged ships transporting food and the lifting of sanctions on agricultural equipment.
The European Union has rejected these conditions, insisting that Russian troops must first withdraw from Ukraine’s internationally recognized territory.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump indicated that Washington was considering Moscow’s demands. Meanwhile, European leaders made it clear that sanctions should remain in place to maintain economic pressure.
Macron emphasized that any European force deployed to Ukraine in a peacekeeping role would respond if attacked. He stated that if such a force came under direct aggression, standard military engagement rules would apply.
Despite the show of unity in Paris, divisions remain among European nations over sending troops to Ukraine. Some countries, including Finland and Poland, prioritize strengthening their own defenses.
Italy has proposed an alternative plan that would see troops deployed under a United Nations mandate instead of a European-led mission.
The Russian government has warned that any European military presence in Ukraine could lead to a direct confrontation between Moscow and NATO.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova accused the UK and France of disguising military intervention as a peacekeeping mission.
Efforts to pressure Russia into serious negotiations continue, with European leaders vowing to stand firm on economic measures while exploring potential security arrangements for Ukraine.
Reported by BBC
