Starmer outlines 4-step peace process for Ukraine as Trump pushes Europe to take lead

After the meeting of European leaders on Sunday, British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer outlined a four-step peace process.

At a time when US President Donald Trump has gone from being critical of support to Ukraine to being completely hostile, European leaders gathered in London at the initiative of Starmer to demonstrate their support to Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression and deliberate on how to support the nation and enforce peace in case of a ceasefire agreement.

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Starmer’s outline is in line with the British-French peacekeeping proposal in the works under which European troops would lead the efforts but would be supported in the rear by the United States. In line with such a middle ground approach, he said that while the United States must have an important role in any peace deal, Europe must do the bulk of the job.

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Starmer’s 4-step outline for peace in Ukraine

Stressing upon the historic moment that Europe faces today, Starmer said the continent is “at a crossroads in history today” and the nations must act and not just talk in the face of Russian aggression.

The Russian war on Ukraine and the shadow war on the rest of the continent has plunged Europe in the worst security crisis in World War II. The popular perception is that if Russia gets its way in Ukraine, it is only a matter of time before it invades another country in due course — just like it attacked Ukraine first in 2014 and Georgia before that in 2008.

While Starmer did not go into the specifics, he outlined the four broad steps that Europe must take:

Firstly, Europe must keep the military aid flowing and keep increasing economic pressure on Russia to strengthen Ukraine.

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Secondly, it must be ensured that Ukraine is at the negotiating table to ensure the nation’s say in decision regarding its sovereignty and security.

Thirdly, Europe must boost Ukraine’s defences in case of a peace deal to deter future aggression by Russia.

Fourthly, Europe must form a “coalition of the willing” to put boots on the ground to enforce any peace deal that’s reached and provide security guarantees to Ukraine. Starmer said that the UK will take the lead in such a coalition.

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Starmer said, “Not every nation will feel able to contribute but that can’t mean we sit back. Instead, those willing will intensify planning now — with real urgency. The UK is prepared to back this with boots on the ground, and planes in the air together with others. Europe must do the heavy lifting, but, to support peace on our continent and to succeed, this effort must have strong US backing. We’re working with the US on this point after my meeting with President Trump last week.”