Keir Starmer, the leader of the UK’s Labour Party, is set to present a detailed peacekeeping proposal for Ukraine to former U.S. President Donald Trump next week.
The plan, which would involve fewer than 30,000 European troops, aims to monitor any potential ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine.
Starmer is scheduled to visit the White House to discuss this Anglo-French initiative with Trump, focusing on a “reassurance force” designed to help bring stability to the region.
The Proposed Peacekeeping Force and its Limits
The peacekeeping force, which would consist of military personnel from European countries, would be positioned away from the frontlines.
It would rely heavily on modern surveillance tools like drones, satellites, and intelligence aircraft to monitor any ceasefire deal.
Western officials have emphasized that the force would also have sufficient firepower to neutralize any attacks from Russian forces.
In addition, naval patrol vessels would be sent to the Black Sea to keep an eye on Russian threats in the region.
However, the plan has faced criticism from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who had requested a much larger peacekeeping force of 200,000 troops.
While Starmer’s proposal is a scaled-back version of Zelensky’s request, it may be the best Ukraine can hope for given the current political climate and Donald Trump’s ongoing public feud with the Ukrainian leader.
Trump’s Criticism of Zelensky and US Aid to Ukraine
In the midst of this diplomatic back-and-forth, Trump has ramped up his criticism of Zelensky, accusing the Ukrainian president of leading the country into a war that could have been avoided.
On his Truth Social platform, Trump wrote a scathing post, questioning why the U.S. had spent billions on Ukraine’s defense while European nations, closer to the conflict, had contributed far less.
Trump also claimed that Zelensky had manipulated President Joe Biden to keep the war going and was playing “the gravy train” game, referring to the U.S. aid that has flowed into Ukraine.
He even suggested that Zelensky needed to act quickly or risk losing control of Ukraine, calling him a “dictator” and criticizing his handling of the war.
Keir Starmer Defends Zelensky Amid Trump’s Attacks
In stark contrast to Trump’s remarks, Keir Starmer has publicly defended Zelensky, drawing parallels between the Ukrainian leader and Winston Churchill.
Starmer emphasized Zelensky’s legitimacy as Ukraine’s democratically elected leader and supported his decision to suspend elections during the wartime crisis, much like the UK did during World War II.
Starmer also reiterated his support for U.S.-led efforts to secure a lasting peace deal in Ukraine.
The Labour leader’s defense of Zelensky comes after a particularly bitter exchange of words between Trump and other political figures.
Conservative leaders like Kemi Badenoch, while condemning Trump’s harsh language, have agreed with his point that Europe, including the UK, needs to step up its support for Ukraine.
The Fallout from Trump’s Remarks and European Reactions
Trump’s controversial statements have sparked heated reactions across the political spectrum.
Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, a key ally of Zelensky, called for European leaders to stop criticizing Trump and instead focus on helping bring the war to an end.
He pointed out that the U.S. had significant frozen Russian assets, particularly in Belgium, which could be used to support Ukraine and hold Russia accountable.
Johnson urged Europe to stop blocking the unfreezing of these assets and take more decisive action.
Meanwhile, some British officials have described Trump’s remarks as dangerously misleading, suggesting they align with Russian propaganda.
Former Defense Secretary Sir Ben Wallace dismissed Trump’s statements as “pure Disney,” implying they were detached from reality.
Zelensky Rejects Trump’s Proposal for a ‘Payback’ Deal
On the other hand, Zelensky has completely rejected Trump’s proposed deal, which would see Ukraine offer up its natural resources in exchange for U.S. support.
The proposal, which Trump claimed could be worth $400 billion, was swiftly dismissed by Zelensky, who stated that Ukraine could never “sell” its state or its sovereignty.
He accused Trump of operating in a “disinformation bubble” and reminded everyone that such claims seemed to echo Russia’s own narrative.
The draft proposal, as reported, would grant the U.S. control over Ukraine’s infrastructure, gas reserves, and other resources, a deal that Zelensky described as “not a serious conversation.”
Zelensky also stressed that Ukraine was doing its best to defend itself with the resources already provided by the U.S., emphasizing the absurdity of Trump’s demands.
Zelensky Stands Firm on Ukraine’s Sovereignty Amid Pressure
Despite the ongoing pressure from Trump and his supporters, Zelensky remains firm in his commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and independence.
He has repeatedly rejected any deal that would compromise his country’s future in exchange for short-term military support.
Zelensky’s strong stance against Trump’s proposals serves as a reminder of the difficult balancing act Ukraine must perform as it navigates the geopolitical pressures of the war with Russia.
As tensions continue to rise and the diplomatic back-and-forth intensifies, it remains to be seen whether the peacekeeping force proposed by Starmer will gain traction with Trump or the broader international community.
For now, the conflict in Ukraine continues to demand global attention and action, with no easy solution in sight.
This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!
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