LONDON — On Sunday, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that he does not intend to engage in discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin, emphasizing that supporting Ukraine remains the foremost priority for the United Kingdom at the upcoming G20 summit in Brazil.
During his interaction with journalists while en route to the summit, Starmer clarified that he would not be following the example of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who recently spoke with Putin. This conversation marked the first official dialogue between the Russian leader and a prominent Western official in almost two years, as reported by the Kremlin, which indicated that the call had been initiated by Germany.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed his disapproval of the call, suggesting that it would further diminish Russia’s isolation on the international stage. Concerns are mounting among Ukraine’s allies regarding the potential impact of President-elect Donald Trump’s administration, particularly as he has raised doubts about American support to Kyiv and has previously praised Putin.
Starmer underscored the necessity for allies to reinforce their commitment to Ukraine, stating that they must continue offering support for as long as necessary. He highlighted that the approaching milestone of nearly 1,000 days of conflict serves as a stark reminder of the “Russian aggression” that has dramatically affected the Ukrainian population.
“We are nearing the 1,000th day of this conflict on Tuesday,” Starmer remarked. “This represents 1,000 days marked by significant impact and sacrifice for the Ukrainian people. Recently, we have observed North Korean troops collaborating with Russians, which raises serious concerns.”
Since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, the United Kingdom has pledged substantial aid to Ukraine, amounting to £12.8 billion (approximately $16.15 billion). This commitment reflects the U.K.’s ongoing dedication to supporting Ukraine amidst the ongoing conflict.
