Starmer Takes Center Stage in European Peace Efforts with Franco-British Plan

Keir Starmer Takes Center Stage in European Peace Efforts

Following a tumultuous meeting between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Keir Starmer and his team decided to take action rather than issue statements. Starmer engaged in a flurry of diplomatic activity, resulting in a Franco-British peace effort that places him at the heart of European attempts to shape a deal between Moscow and Kyiv.

Starmer's efforts have been met with praise, with some even comparing it to Margaret Thatcher's "Falklands moment." He received support from both the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats, with Kemi Badenoch stating, "It's really important that this summit the prime minister is having today goes well and we support him in that."

Starmer's calls with Trump and Zelenskyy focused on restarting the minerals deal between the two countries. While officials denied reports that the call with Zelenskyy was "emotional," they acknowledged that the Ukrainian president found his encounter with Trump "bruising."

Following discussions with his national security advisor and other officials, Starmer devised a plan for separate discussions involving Britain, France, Ukraine, and potentially others, to formulate their own prospective deal to present to the US. This plan would provide a counterbalance to the US-Russia talks that have excluded Ukraine and European countries.

Starmer received a positive response from Macron, but needed to ensure Trump's approval. While the details of Trump's reaction remain unclear, Starmer felt emboldened enough to announce the talks on the BBC.

Starmer's diplomatic efforts continued with a meeting with Zelenskyy at Downing Street, where he received cheers from the gathered press. He assured Zelenskyy of the UK's unwavering support, stating, "We stand with you, with Ukraine, for as long as it may take."

Sunday saw further diplomatic activity, with Starmer speaking to the leaders of the Baltic states and hosting Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. He then traveled to Lancaster House for a defense summit attended by representatives from across Europe, Turkey, and NATO.

While the outcome of these efforts remains uncertain, Downing Street is pleased with Starmer's ability to navigate the complex geopolitical landscape and demonstrate Britain's continued global leadership role post-Brexit.