Starmer's plan for Ukraine hits a wall, and it's because of Steve Witkoff

Keir Starmer’s proposal to establish an international coalition to support a ceasefire in Ukraine has been sharply dismissed by Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, who derided the UK prime minister’s plan as “a posture and a pose”.

In a wide-ranging and provocative interview with pro-Trump commentator Tucker Carlson, Witkoff struck a dismissive tone toward Starmer’s push for a so-called “coalition of the willing” to offer security guarantees to Ukraine. Branding it “simplistic,” Witkoff said European leaders were caught in a fantasy to “be like Winston Churchill,” and scoffed at the idea of a renewed Russian threat to Europe.

“Russians are going to march across Europe. That is preposterous, by the way. We have something called Nato that we did not have in World War Two,” BBC quoted him as saying.

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Witkoff’s remarks throw cold water on Starmer’s efforts to rally European and American partners behind a durable post-war settlement in Ukraine . His comments come as ceasefire negotiations led by the Trump envoy enter a delicate phase, with Witkoff claiming a 30-day truce may soon be announced, beginning with a de-escalation in the Black Sea.

Witkoff, a real estate investor with no prior diplomatic experience, has drawn criticism for his unusually warm rhetoric toward Russia.

In the Carlson interview, he praised Vladimir Putin as “super smart” and “gracious,” while repeating Kremlin talking points about Ukraine’s legitimacy and territorial integrity.

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For the Labour leader, who has sought to position Britain as a key player in Ukraine’s reconstruction and security, Witkoff’s dismissal presents an unwelcome challenge. As Washington’s stance evolves under Trump-aligned figures, Starmer may find his room for diplomatic manoeuvre narrowing.

Though Witkoff claimed the world is “not far away” from a temporary ceasefire, his stance on Ukrainian sovereignty and the future of Russian-occupied territories could complicate efforts by European leaders to forge a united front on Ukraine’s long-term security.

With inputs from agencies