On the 9th August, the Prime Minister, alongside fellow European leaders, signed a joint statement reaffirming our united commitment to ending Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine and securing a just and lasting peace.
Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine remains a flagrant violation of international law and a direct assault on the values we all share: sovereignty, democracy, and the rule of law. The human cost of this war has been devastating, and our support of Ukraine militarily, financially, and diplomatically has never wavered.
This UK Labour Government is proud to be part of the Coalition of the Willing.
We are clear, as we have always been, that any diplomatic solution must protect Ukraine’s sovereignty and Europe’s security interests. That includes robust and credible security guarantees that enable Ukraine to defend its territorial integrity and determine its own future. Ukraine’s freedom to choose its own destiny is non-negotiable.
These very principles were at the heart of discussions during a pivotal summit at the White House on the 18th of August, where Prime Minister Keir Starmer joined President Zelenskyy, President Trump, and European leaders to discuss the next phase of the peace process.
The Prime Minister commended US efforts to bring parties closer to ending the war and welcomed the openness of the United States and Europe to provide long-term security guarantees to Ukraine. Again, these guarantees are essential to deterring future aggression and ensuring Ukraine’s long-term security.
As the Prime Minister made clear, the path to peace cannot be decided without Ukraine at the table. The leaders agreed that any future negotiations must be inclusive, credible, and centred on Ukraine’s sovereignty and consent. The UK stands ready to support this next phase of diplomatic efforts.
We also recognise that meaningful negotiations can only take place in the context of a ceasefire. Until Russia stops its assault, we will continue to
apply pressure through sanctions and cooperation with our international partners.
This Labour Government will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with President Zelenskyy and the people of Ukraine as we have done since the commencement of hostilities in February 2022. We will continue to work closely with our international partners to bring an end to the hostilities and restore peace to the region.
The path to peace will inevitably be challenging, but we are determined to help shape a future where Ukraine decides its own future, international law is upheld, and the values we share are defended.
The Prime Minister’s joint statement on ‘Peace for Ukraine’ as well as the statement following diplomatic talks at the White House can be found below:
Joint Statement: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/joint-leaders-statement-on-peace-for-ukraine
Prime Minister’s statement: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/pm-statement-on-ukraine-16-august-2025