British Prime Minister Keir Starmer arrived in Kyiv on Saturday ahead of a high-stakes diplomatic meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and other European leaders, as momentum builds for renewed calls for a ceasefire in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.
Starmer joins French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, both of whom are already in Ukraine for the talks. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk is also expected to arrive later on Saturday to take part in the growing coalition effort aimed at ending the conflict.
The diplomatic push follows a statement from President Zelensky on Friday, calling for a formal alliance to secure Ukraine against continued Russian aggression. “This alliance is not just about peace,” Zelensky said, “it is about long-term security guarantees to ensure Ukraine’s sovereignty is never again threatened.”
The visit also comes just one day after Moscow held its annual Victory Day parade, commemorating the Soviet Union’s role in defeating Nazi Germany in World War II. This year’s parade, scaled back compared to previous years, was seen by many in the West as a symbolic show of resilience amid increasing military strain on Russia’s frontlines.
Western leaders are expected to present a joint appeal for a ceasefire and initiate discussions on a potential security framework that would include economic aid, military support, and post-war reconstruction for Ukraine. Starmer, who has called for a “just and lasting peace,” is also expected to reaffirm the UK’s commitment to Ukrainian sovereignty and stability in Eastern Europe.
While the Kremlin has yet to respond officially to the coordinated visit, analysts view the presence of multiple European heads of state in Kyiv as a calculated diplomatic signal to Moscow — one that underscores European unity and resolve in the face of ongoing Russian military actions.
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