Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has forcefully reiterated Britain's steadfast support for Ukraine, as President Volodymyr Zelensky prepares for a last-ditch diplomatic mission to Florida to discuss a potential peace plan with US President Donald Trump.
A Crucial Moment for European Security
In a high-stakes call with German and French leaders on Friday, Sir Keir emphasised that the UK's commitment to Ukraine remains 'unflinching' and 'unshakeable'. A Downing Street spokesperson confirmed the leaders collectively stressed this was 'a crucial moment for Ukraine and security across the Euro-Atlantic region'. They agreed any resolution must be built on a foundation of a 'just and lasting peace', with talks needing to progress in the coming days.
The urgent diplomatic conversations follow President Zelensky's announcement on Friday morning that he is planning a sudden trip to meet President Trump at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida. The Ukrainian leader hopes to negotiate a framework for a peace deal before the New Year, stating a plan is 'about 90 percent ready'.
Zelensky's Ultimatum and the Sticking Points
In a significant development, President Zelensky confirmed he would be open to letting the Ukrainian people decide their country's fate. He proposed putting the latest version of any peace plan to a national referendum, but only if the Kremlin first agrees to a ceasefire lasting at least 60 days.
The talks in Florida represent the latest stage in President Trump's year-long effort to broker a ceasefire. However, formidable obstacles remain. A primary point of contention is the status of the eastern Donbas region, comprising the Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts. Russia demands Ukraine cede the entire Donbas, most of which it already controls by force, while Zelensky has historically refused, insisting he has no constitutional or moral right to surrender Ukrainian land.
Other potential hurdles include European demands, supported by Sir Keir and French President Emmanuel Macron, for NATO forces to monitor any ceasefire—a condition Russia is likely to reject. European allies also insist Ukraine be allowed to maintain a substantial peace-time military and pursue EU membership.
The Race Against Time Amid Ongoing Conflict
Zelensky, posting on his X account, noted that his team was 'not losing a single day' and that 'a lot can be decided before the New Year'. He expects to discuss security guarantees, an economic agreement, and territorial issues with President Trump, and hopes European leaders can join future discussions.
Meanwhile, the brutal reality of war continues. Russian missile and drone strikes hit Ukrainian targets early on Friday, and Kyiv claimed it used British-supplied Storm Shadow missiles to strike a major Russian oil refinery the day before. This relentless violence underscores the urgent pressure behind the diplomatic flurry, as all sides manoeuvre in a pivotal moment for Ukraine's future and European stability.
