UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on the 3rd (local time) that the 'mineral agreement' signed by US President Donald Trump with Ukraine is insufficient as a security guarantee for Ukraine. He also reaffirmed his previous stance that Europe must play an important role in the peace process for Ukraine and that strong US support is essential for the European peacekeeping forces to act as a security guarantee.
According to Bloomberg News and the UK BBC, during a session in the House of Commons that day, Prime Minister Starmer responded to a question from Nigel Farage, leader of the UK Reform Party, who suggested that the mineral agreement itself might be a sufficient form of security guarantee since many Americans would go to work in Ukraine, by saying, "The mineral agreement alone is not sufficient."
Prime Minister Starmer also addressed Farage, who is critical of support for Ukraine and has a pro-Russian stance, saying, "The aggressor is Russia, and Zelensky (President of Ukraine) is the leader of a country under invasion." He added, "We all must support him (Zelensky) and not flatter Putin (President of Russia)."
He further stated that supporting Ukraine is not only the right thing to do but also "in the national interest," explaining, "Due to the Ukraine conflict, oil and energy prices have surged over the past few years. British workers are already paying the price, and if sustainable peace is not achieved in Ukraine, the cost will be even greater."
When some lawmakers said that the US is no longer a reliable ally, he disagreed, saying, "I do not agree," and opposed the suggestion to resolve the issue alone without the US.
Starmer also said that if necessary, the UK would play a "leading role" in the peace agreement, including deploying British troops to Ukraine to deter further Russian attacks. However, he stated that any decision to deploy troops would require a vote in the House of Commons.
He added that even if a ceasefire is established, sanctions against Russia should not be lifted. While other European countries have expressed willingness to join the peacekeeping forces, he noted that not all countries share the same position on this issue.
The day before, Starmer held an informal summit in London attended by leaders from 15 countries, NATO, and the European Union (EU). Together with French President Emmanuel Macron, he is persuading the US while discussing a Europe-led security plan for Ukraine. The UK and France plan to propose several options, including a temporary ceasefire, to the Trump administration after discussions.
However, the Trump administration is negative about this. On the same day, President Trump mentioned the London summit on his social media platform Truth Social, saying, "They said they cannot work without the US," and added, "From the perspective of showing strength to Russia, that is not a good statement." Regarding himself and President Zelensky, he said, "As I said, this guy does not want peace (agreement) as long as there is US support," hinting at the possibility of stopping military aid.
Earlier, on the 28th of last month, President Trump held talks with President Zelensky at the White House and attempted to sign a mineral agreement between the two countries, but the talks broke down over Ukraine's security guarantees, and the agreement was not signed.
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