Keir Starmer says Ukraine peace 'closer than ever' after Trump summit - but gives Putin a warning

Keir Starmer says peace in Ukraine is "closer than ever" following Donald Trump's summit with Vladimir Putin in Alaska - but had a warning for Russia's ruthless dictator.

In a statement following the talks - and after a joint call with world leaders and Volodymyr Zelensky - Mr Starmer said Ukraine could count on Britain's "unwavering support...as long as it takes."

Starmer praised Trump's efforts, saying they have "have brought us closer than ever before to ending Russia ’s illegal war in Ukraine.

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"His leadership in pursuit of an end to the killing should be commended."

But he added: "While progress has been made, the next step must be further talks involving President Zelenskyy. The path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without him.

"This morning, I spoke to President Zelenskyy, President Trump and other European partners, and we all stand ready to support this next phase.

"I welcome the openness of the United States, alongside Europe, to provide robust security guarantees to Ukraine as part of any deal. This is important progress and will be crucial in deterring Putin from coming back for more."

He ended his statement with a warning for Putin.

"In the meantime, until he stops his barbaric assault, we will keep tightening the screws on his war machine with even more sanctions, which have already had a punishing impact on the Russian economy and its people," he said."

Following a call with President Trump, Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on X: "In my conversation with President Trump, I said that sanctions should be strengthened if there is no trilateral meeting or if Russia tries to evade an honest end to the war.

"Sanctions are an effective tool. Security must be guaranteed reliably and in the long term, with the involvement of both Europe and the U.S.

"All issues important to Ukraine must be discussed with Ukraine’s participation, and no issue, particularly territorial ones, can be decided without Ukraine."

Putin last night gave no indication he'd given up on his long-held belief that Ukraine is not a real country, and is entirely Russian territory.

At a press conference following the talks, he repeated his position that it is "sincerely interested in putting an end" to the war in Ukraine, but for that to happen, "all the root causes of the crisis ... must be eliminated."

"All of Russia's legitimate concerns must be taken into account, and a fair balance in the security sphere in Europe and the world as a whole must be restored," Putin said.