Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is spearheading a coordinated response with key Western allies at the G20 summit in Johannesburg, focusing on a controversial peace plan for Ukraine secretly drafted by the United States. The meeting, held on the sidelines of the gathering on Saturday 22 November 2025, aims to solidify a Western position on the proposals, which have reportedly pressured Kyiv to accept significant concessions.
Western Scramble Over US-Brokered Deal
Western nations are urgently convening to formulate a response to the 28-point plan, which was negotiated without the involvement of Kyiv or its European partners. The proposals, negotiated by US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Kremlin representative Kirill Dmitriev, are said to include major concessions from Ukraine, such as ceding territory and reducing the size of its armed forces.
The Prime Minister initiated the discussions with a 25-minute meeting with France's President Emmanuel Macron and Germany's Chancellor Friedrich Merz. This core group then expanded to include leaders from a dozen G7 and G20 nations, including Japan, Canada, Italy, Norway, and the European Union.
Diplomatic Push for a "Just and Lasting Peace"
In a statement made before the summit, where media access was limited, Sir Keir outlined the purpose of the talks. He stated that Ukraine's partners would meet "to discuss how we can secure a full ceasefire and create the space for meaningful peace negotiations."
He emphasised support for President Trump's push for peace while condemning Russia's ongoing aggression, noting that Moscow had launched nearly 1,000 drones and 54 precision-guided missiles in the past week alone. "Ukraine has been ready to negotiate for months, while Russia has stalled and continued its murderous rampage," the Prime Minister said.
He affirmed the need to work closely with both Washington and Kyiv to achieve a settlement, stressing the "fundamental principle" that Ukraine must be in charge of its own destiny. This followed a 40-minute call between Sir Keir, Macron, Merz, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, where European leaders reinforced that Ukraine "must determine its future under its sovereignty."
International Reactions and Broader Summit Agenda
Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is not attending the summit alongside US President Donald Trump, gave a cautious welcome to the US proposal, suggesting it "could form the basis of a final peace settlement." However, he noted that the plan had not been discussed with Russia in any substantive way.
President Zelensky, in a video address to his nation, described facing "one of the most difficult moments" in Ukraine's history, framed as a choice between "losing its dignity or the risk of losing a key partner."
Meanwhile, Downing Street defended the Prime Minister's attendance at the summit, highlighting its importance for shoring up support for Kyiv and striking international business deals. As part of this effort, Sir Keir will announce a £4 billion maritime agreement with Indonesia, led by British defence firm Babcock, which is expected to create 1,000 jobs in Rosyth, Bristol, and Plymouth.
