There was a clear, united message from the contemporary virtual assembly of leaders – that they rejected Vladimir Putin’s ‘yes, but’ approach to a ceasefire.
The ‘coalition of the willing’ – the 27 leaders, plus Navo and the Eu led by Sir Keir Starmer And Emmanuel Macron -wants the Russian president to reflect Ukraine’s promise for a 30 -day break in battle, to hammer a sustainable peace agreement.
Sir Keir made it very clear and suggested that the participants in the meeting were behind this approach.
Ukraine war latest: Putin’s ceasefire conditions ‘not good enough’
The prime minister said: “Volodymyr [Zelenskyy] committed himself to an unconditional ceasefire of 30 days, but Mr. Putin tries to postpone and say that there must be a careful study before a ceasefire can take place.
“Well, the world needs action, not a study, not empty words and conditions. So my message is very clear. Sooner or later, Putin will have to come to the table. ‘
‘Coalition of the willing’. Photo: Downing Street
There are two reasons for this challenge – an immediate end to fighting is a purpose in itself, but many of those in today’s call, including Sir Keir, do not trust that Mr. Putin does not maintain promises about peace and is trying to convince US President Donald Trump to be clearer about the Russian approach.
Challenge the Russian leader to follow the US request to follow a ceasefire and see how he refuses is designed to send a message to the White House as well as the Kremlin.
However, there were greater unknowns who hung.
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One was the clear signal of Sir Keir that he still relies on an American security guarantee to board a ‘coalition of the willing’ that may offer troops to Ukraine.
However, there are many who do not think that the US security guarantee is coming in any material way based on the sounds coming from the US.
This is a major problem for the prime minister, as government resources tell me that the extent and transfer of any possible peacekeeping force is determined by what protection the US can provide.
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The second issue raised by Sir Keir is what any peacekeeping conservation can do in practice.
British troops, such as those of any NATO country, cannot directly conflict with Russia, for fear that they are causing a much greater destruction.
So, if not, what is its purpose then – a question is repeatedly asked by experts such as former national security advisor Lord Ricketts.
I put it to the Prime Minister exactly, but I didn’t get an answer. He suggested that we are a long time away to get an answer, although military captains too appears to be meeting to “operationalize” plans on Thursday.
How can they operationalize a plan that does not have a task, and currently cannot do?
Sir Keir today announced the participation of Canada, Australia and New Zealand on the call as part of the effort.
But if the command of the coalition of the willingness is not clear, how can it be effective?
