RUSSIAN dictator Vladimir Putin has 24 hours to agree to an unconditional 30-day ceasefire in Ukraine — or face more “painful sanctions” from Europe and America.
PM Sir Keir Starmer joined leaders from France, Germany and Poland in issuing the tough ultimatum yesterday as they visited war-torn Kyiv.
EPAPM Keir Starmer joined leaders from France, Germany and Poland in issuing a tough ultimatum to Putin, pictured in Kyiv[/caption] Putin celebrating VE day in MoscowAP AFPSir Keir insisted the VE week trip to Kyiv is Europe’s show of strength against Russia[/caption]Crucially, US President Donald Trump backed the plan — piling pressure on Putin to sign up to the peace deal or face America’s wrath.
The Sun on Sunday joined Sir Keir in Kyiv as he stood shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky to challenge Russia to lay down weapons and come to the negotiating table.
In an exclusive interview, he said Britain must honour the sacrifices our World War Two heroes made by defeating Russian tyranny and winning the fight for peace in Ukraine.
At a press conference in the grounds of the Mariinskyi Palace, the PM said: “All of us, together with the US, are calling Putin out.
“If he is serious about peace, he has a chance to show that now by extending the VE Day peace to a full 30-day ceasefire.”
Warmonger Putin has shown no sign of actually wanting to end the war.
In an open act of defiance, he held a giant military display in Moscow’s Red Square on Friday, joined by China leader Xi Jinping.
Russia yesterday also marked the 80th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory over Nazi Germany.
But Sir Keir insisted the VE week trip to Kyiv is Europe’s own show of strength against Russia.
He said: “You see the solidarity and support of many European allies. We are absolutely resolute in what we are trying to achieve.
“It is for Putin now to come to the ceasefire or face the consequences. They will be painful consequences, real consequences.”
The PM went on: “The timeframe is becoming ever more urgent, and that is why the 30-day ceasefire is really important. We need to stop Putin playing games. We need to stop him thinking he can drag his heels and resist.
“That is why I am really pleased it has come to this firmer edge.
“We need to push this timetable forward now.”
‘Unity and strength’
If Russia refuses to back a ceasefire, it will be hit with crippling sanctions targeting the lucrative oil trade and banking sector.
Military aid to Ukraine will again be ramped up so its forces are ready to take on the Red Army if Putin refuses to comply.
Sir Keir said there is “unity and strength” among the allies as around 30 countries including European nations, Canada, America and Japan are signed up to the plan.
He joined Mr Zelensky, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Polish PM Donald Tusk to draw up the peace deal.
PAStarmer and Macron in Ukraine[/caption] Shutterstock EditorialThe PM stood shoulder to shoulder with Zelensky to challenge Russia to lay down weapons and come to the negotiating table[/caption]They then called Mr Trump from Mr Macron’s phone and spoke to him for 20 minutes about their plan.
The conversation was said to be “very warm”.
Mr Zelensky tweeted: “It was a good conversation — positive and concrete. I am grateful to President Trump. We share a common view: an immediate, full and unconditional ceasefire is needed for at least 30 days. We propose it begin on Monday, May 12. We are waiting for Russia’s response.
“This proposal has been on the table since the talks in Saudi Arabia, when it was first put forward by the United States.
“Once the ceasefire begins, there will be the best moment for diplomacy. Ukraine is ready for negotiations in any format.”
I joined Sir Keir aboard the night train from Poland to Ukraine for the symbolic visit, which came 80 years after Nazism was vanquished across the European continent.
Outside our carriage, camouflage-clad soldiers carrying guns guarded the doors.
A few carriages ahead, President Macron and Chancellor Merz sat surrounded by their closest advisers and aides.
It was really important because it gave an opportunity for the reality of the situation to be discussed and for four leaders to come together
StarmerSir Keir said the World War Two generation made the ultimate sacrifice to protect freedom and liberty — and these principles are being fought for again in Ukraine.
He declared: “They were fighting for freedom, they were fighting for countries to have the right to decide their own futures, and for freedom and democracy.
“We are 80 years down the line, it falls to us to make that same argument and take that fight up.
“Because it is the right thing to do 80 years on. But it would also be completely wrong to those veterans to allow everything they fought for to be lost if we don’t fight for it now. And that is why I particularly wanted this trip to be this weekend. I wanted the timing to be soon after VE Day.”
Sir Keir added: “We have to fight for the peace now. That is what we are doing. This is a really pivotal point in the fight for peace.”
President Trump was the first to call for a 30-day ceasefire.
Yet some have feared he is getting bored of the stalemate and could walk away from talks.
Light candles
But Sir Keir said the positive one-on-one talk between the American leader and Mr Zelensky in the Vatican during Pope Francis’s funeral last month was crucial and helped shore up US support.
The PM said: “It was really important because it gave an opportunity for the reality of the situation to be discussed and for four leaders to come together.
APFormer US President Joe Biden has accused his successor Mr Trump, above, of appeasement[/caption]“It was a very significant moment — and it was a very moving moment, to go to the Pope’s funeral and make that case.
“I do think that moved things forward that weekend.”
During their visit to Ukraine, Western leaders visited Kyiv’s Maidan [Independence] Square, to light a candle remembering those killed in the war.
Towering above them was the 200ft Independence Monument, which celebrates the country casting off the Soviet yoke in 1991.
The leaders, flanked by a military guard of honour, then stopped for a symbolic minute’s silence.
Journey in hope of an end to war
By Kate Ferguson
IT is the dead of night when we board the night train from Poland to Ukraine on Friday, writes Sun on Sunday Political Editor Kate Ferguson.
It is taking Sir Keir Starmer, Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz into the eye of Putin’s storm.
Poland’s Donald Tusk is coming too, but will meet them later in Kyiv.
As we talk, Sir Keir is strident about the need to defend Ukraine.
We owe it to the memory of soldiers who fought and died against Hitler’s troops 80 years ago, he insists.
We pull into Kyiv at about 8am yesterday. The skies are clear and blue with no Russian drones hovering in sight.
The aim of this visit is clear: Europe is united against Russia.
Vladimir Putin can put on displays of military might in Red Square and invite his Chinese pal Xi Jinping if he wants.
But the proud democracies of Europe will stand up to his oppression and tyranny — and stand united with Ukraine.
Sir Keir and Mr Macron are also working on a Coalition of the Willing, a European-led military presence to police any peace plan.
But there are no details on what that might look like in a post-war Ukraine — including how many troops would be in involved in such a force or who will supply them.
Sir Keir has said any peace deal must be backed up by a US “security guarantee”.
However, when asked what this might look like, he did not give any details.
He simply pointed to Mr Trump’s remarks earlier this year when he insisted America would always have Britain’s back.
The most important thing is we have a safe, secure Ukraine. It is a very important principle. It is what was being fought for in the Second World War and it is what is being fought for in Ukraine
StarmerThe PM said: “Well look, we have been having intense discussions with him and I think he has been clear that he would have our back.
“He said that when I was in the Oval Office with him.”
The White House has suggested Ukraine will need to give up territory in return for peace.
Former US President Joe Biden has accused his successor Mr Trump of appeasement.
Pressed on who is right, Sir Keir diplomatically refused to wade into the row — but said it is up to Ukraine alone if it agrees to a change in borders.
The Prime Minister went on: “The most important thing is we have a safe, secure Ukraine. It is a very important principle. It is what was being fought for in the Second World War and it is what is being fought for in Ukraine.
“Here we are, 80 years on, those values are exactly the same: sovereignty, the right of countries to decide for themselves their own future. It is a basic value of democracy and of freedom.”
However, Russian figures immediately hit back at the peace plan.
The nation’s former leader Dmitry Medvedev — a stooge of Putin — fumed online: “Shove these plans into your pangender a***s!”
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