Starmer calls on Putin to accept 30-day ceasefire in UkraineReuters
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:00This is Europe stepping up, showing our solidarity with Ukraine, and also showing
00:06during this week, when we mark 80th anniversary of the E-Day, that we understand the lessons of
00:14history. The lesson that any veteran of Normandy, of North Africa, or any other campaign will tell
00:22you, but that Putin has not yet grasped. There's no glory in aggression and conquest.
00:30Glory comes from fighting for your country, defending your people, and winning the peace.
00:37And that is the message of this moment. Vladimir, we stand with you to secure the just and lasting
00:45peace that Ukraine deserves. It's almost two months now since you agreed to an immediate
00:5230-day ceasefire. In that time, Russia has launched some of the most deadly attacks on civilians
01:00of the entire war, including here in Kiev. Normal lives, homes, families destroyed. This is what
01:09Russia offers in place of peace, along with delays, smoke screens, like the current 72-hour ceasefire.
01:20And so all of us here, together with the US, are calling Putin out. If he's serious about peace,
01:30then he has a chance to show it now, by extending the V-Day pause into a full, unconditional 30-day
01:42ceasefire, with negotiations to follow immediately once a ceasefire is agreed. No more ifs and buts,
01:51no more conditions and delays. Putin didn't need conditions when he wanted a ceasefire to have
01:58a parade. But he doesn't need them now. Ukraine has shown the willingness to engage again and again.
02:08But again and again, Putin has refused. So we are clear, all five leaders here, all the leaders on the
02:17meeting we just had with the coalition of the willing, an unconditional ceasefire, rejecting Putin's
02:25conditions, conditions, and clear that if he turns his back on peace, we will respond. Working with
02:34President Trump, with all our partners, we will ramp up sanctions and increase our military aid for
02:42Ukraine's defence, to pressure Russia back to the table. And that's what we've been discussing today.
02:49As well as securing Ukraine's future for the longer term, convening the latest meeting of the coalition of the
02:58willing, with partners joining virtually from around Europe and across the world, lining up to support
03:05Ukraine's future strength and security, discussing operational plans and making concrete commitments of
03:13support across land, air and sea. We want to help Ukraine look to the future with confidence. So we're working to boost
03:24Ukraine's economy. And as a vital step, I'm pleased that UK experts have been on the ground, leading work to support the
03:32resumption of flights into Ukraine once the ceasefire is achieved. It will take time. But this will be a huge moment in
03:42in reconnecting Ukraine's economy, boosting investor confidence, and helping to reunite families separated by this war.
03:52Ukraine's secure and thriving. That is what we all want to see. With our 100-year partnership, the critical minerals deal with
03:59the US, and our coalition of the willing, we are building the framework for peace in Ukraine, to support a better future for the
04:08Ukrainian people, and to pledge once again, in all our interests, and on this anniversary, that aggression will never prevail
04:17on our continent. Thank you.