UK Prime Minister Objects to US Proposal: "Ukraine Must Decide Its Own Future"

"Only Ukraine Can Decide Its Own Future, Not Others"

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has raised objections to U.S. President Donald Trump's proposal for peace negotiations in Ukraine, stating that Ukraine must decide its own future, the Daily Telegraph reported on the 25th (local time).

Keir Starmer British Prime Minister. Photo by Yonhap News

In an interview with the outlet, Prime Minister Starmer said, "We are at a critical stage in the negotiations," and added, "Ultimately, it is Ukraine that must make these decisions, not others on its behalf."

Regarding the U.S. proposal to recognize Crimea as Russian territory, Prime Minister Starmer responded, "That is not for me to say," and only commented that it was "part of the discussion."

President Trump harshly criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for refusing to cede Crimea to Russia, saying this stance was "very damaging to peace negotiations."

When asked whether President Zelensky was responsible for the delay in negotiations, Prime Minister Starmer replied, "No. Russia is the aggressor," and emphasized, "Let us not forget that President Zelensky was offered the chance to flee his country in the first week of the war. He stayed, fought, and led his nation with tremendous courage and resilience."

The Telegraph interpreted these remarks as Prime Minister Starmer expressing support for President Zelensky while refusing to endorse the U.S. proposal.

Prime Minister Starmer said he hopes a ceasefire will be announced by the summer, stating, "It must be a lasting ceasefire that is acceptable to all parties involved in the negotiations, including Ukraine."

He added, "I do not want a temporary ceasefire, because I believe that would leave Russia with the ability and means to invade again in the future," and continued, "They have done it before and will do it again."

Prime Minister Starmer gave the interview while spending the night aboard the British Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales, which set sail for the Indo-Pacific region on the 23rd.

This was the first time since Harold Wilson in 1966 that a British Prime Minister spent the night on a naval vessel at sea. The HMS Prince of Wales will sail for about eight months to demonstrate security in the Indo-Pacific region and the unity of the West.