Sir Keir Starmer, the leader of the UK Labour Party, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had an important phone call on Easter Monday. They discussed the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the need to end Russia’s aggressive actions. This conversation comes as Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed a willingness to engage in talks about a longer ceasefire.
During their discussion, Starmer reaffirmed the UK’s strong support for Ukraine. A spokesperson from Downing Street mentioned that the UK backs Ukraine’s demand for Russia to agree to a full ceasefire. They emphasized that this is a crucial moment for Putin to demonstrate his commitment to ending the war.
Starmer and Zelenskyy also talked about recent developments regarding the Coalition of the Willing, a group of nations supporting Ukraine. Zelenskyy later shared on social media that their conversation was productive and that Ukrainian officials are set to visit London for further discussions on Wednesday.
Zelenskyy expressed a desire to move forward constructively towards an unconditional ceasefire, which he believes is necessary for lasting peace. He pointed out that the recent 30-hour Easter truce, which both sides accused each other of violating, highlighted how Russia is extending the conflict.
Putin, on the other hand, suggested that Russia is open to bilateral talks regarding a longer ceasefire. He noted that Russia has a positive attitude towards a truce, particularly during the Easter period. When asked about Zelenskyy’s proposal to extend the ceasefire to 30 days, Putin mentioned that this could be discussed further.
Despite these diplomatic gestures, tensions remain high. Zelenskyy accused the Russian military of violating the ceasefire more than 2,000 times in a single day, raising doubts about Russia’s commitment to peace.
This dialogue between the UK and Ukraine comes at a time when former US President Donald Trump expressed hope that both countries would reach an agreement soon. He indicated that a resolution could lead to significant business opportunities with the US.
As the situation unfolds, the international community watches closely, hoping for a breakthrough that could finally bring an end to the conflict that has caused so much suffering.