**UK Defence Minister Warns of Difficult Diplomatic Conversations Ahead**
The UK’s Armed Forces Minister, Luke Pollard, has said that agreeing a deal to end the war in Ukraine will be a “difficult diplomatic conversation” with allies. Pollard made this statement after a summit of western leaders in London.
**No Agreement Yet**
Pollard said that options are on the table but nothing has been agreed yet. He also stated that France’s President Emmanuel Macron’s proposal for a month-long truce between Russia and Ukraine is not something the UK currently recognizes. The minister warned that a temporary pause in fighting could give Russia time to regroup.
**US Security Guarantees Needed**
Pollard argued that any peace deal has to be backed up by US security guarantees to deter Russia from attacking Ukraine again. However, US President Donald Trump has not agreed to provide such guarantees and instead focused on a deal to open up Ukrainian minerals to American companies.
**Russia Rejects Western Troops**
Russia has flatly rejected the idea of western troops being sent to Ukraine as part of any peace deal.
**US-UK Relationship Remains Strong**
Despite the differences in approach, Pollard insisted that the US remains the UK’s closest ally. He said, “We have a strong special relationship, an enduring friendship with them. That won’t change.”
**Next Steps**
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer hosted the London summit as allies scramble to shape peace negotiations and smooth over fractured relations between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The prime minister is expected to update MPs on his meeting with Trump in Washington last week.
**A Four-Point Plan**
The UK has announced a four-point plan to work with Ukraine to end the war and defend the country from Russia. This includes including Ukraine in talks, continuing to supply it with military aid, boosting its defense capabilities, and building a “coalition of the willing” to defend a deal to end the fighting.
**No Consensus on Peace Deal**
There appears to be no consensus among European leaders on a plan to end the war in Ukraine.
