**UK’s Starmer Hopes for Ukraine-Russia Ceasefire by Summer**
In an interview with the Telegraph, published on April 24, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed his hopes that a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia could be announced as early as this summer. However, he emphasized that any agreement would have to be lasting and acceptable to all parties involved.
Starmer’s comments come at a time when the U.S. is pushing for a ceasefire in Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Kyiv has already agreed to a 30-day ceasefire proposal, but Moscow has so far refused to accept it. Starmer stressed that Russia must come to the negotiating table for an unconditional ceasefire, and opposed a temporary truce, warning that another invasion could be launched in the future.
“They’ve done it before, I’ve no doubt that they will do it again,” he said, highlighting the need for a lasting agreement. This is not the first time Starmer has spoken out on the issue; as Labour leader, he was vocal about his support for Ukraine and his opposition to Russian aggression.
**The Challenges Ahead**
While Starmer’s comments are encouraging, the road to a ceasefire will undoubtedly be challenging. Russia’s refusal to accept Kyiv’s 30-day ceasefire proposal is a clear indication of the difficulties ahead. The U.S.’s efforts to push for a ceasefire have also been met with resistance from Moscow.
In other news, reports suggest that former President Donald Trump is considering de jure recognition of Russia’s illegal occupation of Crimea and barring Ukraine from joining NATO as part of a potential peace deal. However, Europe has made it clear that they will not support any U.S. move to recognize Russian control over occupied Crimea and will not pressure Kyiv to accept it.
**A Complex Web of Diplomacy**
The situation in Ukraine is complex, with multiple players involved and competing interests at stake. The U.K.’s Starmer hopes for a ceasefire by summer, but the path forward is uncertain. As diplomatic efforts continue, one thing is clear: any agreement will have to be lasting and acceptable to all parties involved.
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