{"id":589185,"date":"2025-11-23T17:45:39","date_gmt":"2025-11-23T17:45:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/589185\/"},"modified":"2025-11-23T17:45:39","modified_gmt":"2025-11-23T17:45:39","slug":"starmer-and-trump-speak-on-ukraine-amid-productive-talks-on-us-drafted-plan","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/589185\/","title":{"rendered":"Starmer and Trump speak on Ukraine amid \u2018productive\u2019 talks on US-drafted plan"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sir Keir\u2019s call with the US president was the second in as many days, and a Downing Street spokesperson said they discussed \u201cvarious aspects\u201d of the high-level talks focusing on the peace plan in Switzerland.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey agreed that we all must work together at this critical moment to bring about a just and lasting peace,\u201d No 10 said.<\/p>\n

The two leaders spoke on Sunday as US, Ukrainian and European officials, including Sir Keir\u2019s national security adviser Jonathan Powell, held meetings.<\/p>\n

US secretary of state Marco Rubio and Ukrainian chief negotiator Andriy Yermak said \u201cgood progress\u201d had been made at talks so far as they updated reporters.<\/p>\n

Mr Rubio said it had been \u201cprobably the most productive and meaningful meeting so far in this entire process\u201d.<\/p>\n

He said the teams are now working on suggestions and \u201cmaking some changes\u201d in the hope of \u201cnarrowing the differences\u201d between the US and Ukraine.<\/p>\n

Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky said he thought the US proposal may take into account the \u201cUkrainian vision\u201d after meetings began.<\/p>\n

But Mr Trump railed against Kyiv in a social media post, saying its leaders had expressed \u201czero gratitude\u201d for his country\u2019s efforts.<\/p>\n

Mr Rubio, alongside Mr Trump\u2019s special envoy Steve Witkoff and army secretary Dan Driscoll, are representing Washington at the talks.<\/p>\n

The 28-point plan is said to have been negotiated by Mr Witkoff and Kremlin representative Kirill Dmitriev, with Kyiv and European allies left out of the process.<\/p>\n

The US State Department dismissed as \u201cblatantly false\u201d claims from senators that Mr Rubio told them the plan was a \u201cwish list\u201d from Russia.<\/p>\n

Sir Keir and other leaders have pushed back against the US-drafted plan for Ukraine, raising concerns about proposals to make Kyiv limit its armed forces and give up territory and its path to Nato membership.<\/p>\n

They called Washington\u2019s plan \u201ca basis\u201d that requires further work in a joint statement on Saturday after talks at the G20 in South Africa.<\/p>\n

On Sunday, Mr Zelensky said his team had reported back from initial meetings and conversations.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is now an understanding that the American proposals may take into account a number of elements based on the Ukrainian vision and are critically important for Ukraine\u2019s national interests,\u201d he said in a post on X.<\/p>\n

\n

I spoke with Prime Minister of the United Kingdom @Keir_Starmer<\/a>. We had a long conversation and covered many nuances of diplomatic work in planning the peace process. Coordination will continue, and I am grateful to the British society for their support. Tomorrow, our advisers\u2026<\/p>\n

\u2014 Volodymyr Zelenskyy \/ \u0412\u043e\u043b\u043e\u0434\u0438\u043c\u0438\u0440 \u0417\u0435\u043b\u0435\u043d\u0441\u044c\u043a\u0438\u0439 (@ZelenskyyUa) November 22, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Mr Trump meanwhile did not mention the discussions in a post on Truth Social on Sunday about the \u201cviolent and terrible\u201d Ukraine war.<\/p>\n

\u201cUkraine \u2018leadership\u2019 has expressed zero gratitude for our efforts and Europe continues to buy oil from Russia,\u201d he wrote.<\/p>\n

In a later update, Mr Zelensky wrote that he is \u201cgrateful to every leader and to everyone around the world who supports Ukraine and our principled stances.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are working to ensure full coordination among our friends.\u201d<\/p>\n

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander earlier said that allies of Ukraine need to \u201cfind a way to secure that ceasefire and open up space for meaningful negotiations\u201d.<\/p>\n

She insisted the UK\u2019s voice \u201cdoes count\u201d with Washington, speaking to Sky News\u2019s Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips.<\/p>\n

\"HeidiHeidi Alexander was speaking on the Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips programme (Sky UK\/PA)<\/p>\n

\u201cOur relationship with the US is one of seeking to influence to facilitate that dialogue with other global leaders,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n

The inclusion of an article five security guarantee \u2013 Nato\u2019s mutual defence provision under which an attack on one member is an attack on the entire bloc \u2013 is seen as \u201cintegral and significant\u201d to Washington\u2019s plan, it is understood.<\/p>\n

Sir Keir has said this security guarantee and his one-on-one discussions with Mr Trump on Ukraine make it clear to him that the US leader wants a \u201cjust and lasting peace\u201d.<\/p>\n

The Sunday talks will see national security advisers \u201cgo through quite a bit of detail\u201d, the Prime Minister has said.<\/p>\n

Sir Keir spoke to Mr Zelensky on Saturday and reiterated the UK\u2019s \u201csteadfast support\u201d for Kyiv.<\/p>\n

\n

Good meeting with @Keir_Starmer<\/a> in Johannesburg.<\/p>\n

We prepared ahead of key G20 discussions, where like-minded partners will work to maintain unity.<\/p>\n

The situation regarding Ukraine right now a clear reminder of why that matters.<\/p>\n

We also discussed our bilateral cooperation. And\u2026 pic.twitter.com\/3Ol3Dvbzi7<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) November 21, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Mr Trump, who shunned the G20 summit, initially suggested he wanted a Ukrainian response by Thursday.<\/p>\n

But he has since signalled there is some room for negotiation in Geneva, saying \u201cno\u201d when asked whether his proposals are final.<\/p>\n