---
title: "British PM Starmer says there can be no Ukraine talks without Ukraine's participation"
description: "LONDON, Feb 23 (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Sunday that there can be no talks about the future of Ukraine without the participation of Ukraine, setting his stall out before a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump this week."
type: "NewsArticle"
publisher: "Daily Maverick"
site: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za"
section: "Newsdeck"
author: "Reuters"
author_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/author/reuters/"
canonical_url: "https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2025-02-23-british-pm-starmer-says-there-can-be-no-ukraine-talks-without-ukraines-participation/"
published: "2025-02-23T21:07:34"
updated: "2025-02-23T21:07:35"
lang: "en-ZA"
word_count: 268
---

# British PM Starmer says there can be no Ukraine talks without Ukraine's participation

> LONDON, Feb 23 (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Sunday that there can be no talks about the future of Ukraine without the participation of Ukraine, setting his stall out before a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump this week.

By Reuters · Published 23 February 2025, 23:07 SAST · Updated 23 February 2025, 23:07 SAST

## Key points
- As Ukraine continues to bear the brunt of bloodshed, Starmer insists that any conversation about its future must include its voices, while simultaneously preparing the UK to don its superhero cape for European security—because, after all, instability has a nasty habit of washing up on Britain’s shores.
- Keir Starmer emphasizes the necessity of including Ukraine in discussions about its future, advocating for a secure and long-term solution.
- Starmer's upcoming Washington visit follows French President Macron, as both leaders aim to maintain European involvement in Ukraine negotiations.
- Trump criticized Starmer and Macron for their lack of action to end the Ukraine conflict, highlighting ongoing tensions in international diplomacy.
- Starmer asserts that supporting Ukraine is crucial for Britain's national interest, urging Europe to enhance its security responsibilities.

## Content

"Nobody wants the bloodshed to continue. Nobody, least of all the Ukrainians," he told the Scottish Labour Party conference in Glasgow.

"But after everything that they have suffered, after everything that they have fought for, there could be no discussion about Ukraine without Ukraine, and the people of Ukraine must have a long-term secure future."

Starmer [visits Washington](https://www.reutersconnect.com/all?search=all%3AL5N3PC1Q2&linkedFromStory=true) on Thursday in the footsteps of French President Emmanuel Macron, who will meet Trump on Monday, exactly three years after Russia invaded Ukraine.

Both leaders are expected to try to convince Trump not to rush to a ceasefire deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin at any cost, keep Europe involved in the process and discuss military guarantees to Ukraine.

On Friday Trump told the Brian Kilmeade Show on Fox News Radio that Starmer and Macron "haven't done anything" to end the war in Ukraine.

Starmer said on Sunday that the need to maintain solidarity with Ukraine is not only right morally, but is also in Britain's national interest.

"Instability in Europe always washes up on our shores, and this is a generational moment," he said.

Starmer said he supports U.S. calls for Europe to take greater responsibility for its security and that Britain will take a leading part.

"We have to be ready to play our role if a force is required in Ukraine once a peace agreement is reached, and we have to be ready to reshape our economy with industrial policy, to stand up for Ukraine, to stand up for Europe, but most of all to stand up for our security."

(Reporting by Paul SandleEditing by David Goodman)