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Global Leaders Forge Military Strategies for Ukraine Ceasefire
In a significant development following international discussions regarding a potential ceasefire in Ukraine, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced that military planning has reached an “operational phase.” This announcement came after a virtual meeting with 29 global leaders aimed at addressing the ongoing conflict.
During the upcoming meeting in the UK on Thursday, military representatives will collaborate to establish comprehensive strategies to support a peace agreement and ensure the long-term security of Ukraine, as stated by Sir Keir.
This initiative follows Ukraine’s acceptance of a 30-day ceasefire, a decision reached after consultations with the United States. In response, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his support for the ceasefire concept, albeit with specific preconditions tied to its implementation.
President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine participated in the discussions and emphasized the necessity for “active pressure” rather than mere dialogue. He declared, “The world must recognize that Russia stands as the sole barrier to peace,” advocating for unconditional commencement of peace talks. Zelensky further urged European nations to expedite their production of arms and engage assertively with the United States to facilitate a more expedient resolution through stringent measures against Russia.
In a subsequent address, Sir Keir emphasized that the global community demands tangible actions rather than mere rhetoric and conditions. He criticized the “Kremlin’s dithering and delay” concerning the ceasefire proposal, asserting that ongoing military aggression counteracts President Putin’s professed commitment to peace.
Leaders reaffirmed their commitment that should Putin reject an “immediate and unconditional ceasefire,” they would intensify efforts to persuade him to engage in negotiations. Sir Keir underscored the plan to enhance military support, impose stricter sanctions on Russia’s revenue streams, and explore all legal avenues to ensure accountability for the destruction wrought upon Ukraine.
Putin, while asserting his support for the ceasefire on Thursday, cited various nuances and posed questions regarding the terms, including provisions for Ukraine’s military rearmament and the enforcement of the ceasefire.
The participants in the weekend call featured representatives from NATO, the European Union, nearly two dozen European nations, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, illustrating the extensive international support for Ukraine. Sir Keir noted that military leaders will convene this week to begin implementing viable plans for bolstering Ukraine’s defense capabilities.
The Prime Minister articulated intentions to strengthen Ukraine’s military infrastructure and prepare a “coalition of the willing” to assist in the event of a peace accord, thereby securing Ukraine’s stability across land, sea, and air. He introduced the concept of this coalition earlier in the month, indicating that its support has expanded to include nations like Japan.
Sir Keir has expressed his readiness to deploy UK troops to Ukraine as part of a security framework linked to the peace agreement and has called for other European allies to make formal commitments to security guarantees, highlighting the necessity for a reliable U.S. backup.
At a news conference following the summit, Zelensky indicated that some form of “boots on the ground” might be required post-ceasefire, although he acknowledged that there is skepticism regarding this approach. Finnish President Alexander Stubb articulated concerns, stating that it remains “premature” to discuss troop deployments in light of the current situation, emphasizing the absence of a ceasefire or ongoing peace negotiations. He indicated that there were numerous ways to provide support beyond ground troop involvement.
The ongoing conflict has already led to the loss of thousands of lives since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia commenced in February 2022, underscoring the urgent need for a sustainable resolution.
Source
www.bbc.com