UK calls on Russia to 'come to the table' for unconditional ceasefire

LONDON

The British prime minister on Friday reiterated his call on Russian President Vladimir Putin to come to the negotiating table for an unconditional ceasefire in Ukraine.

"Obviously our most urgent challenge here today is securing a just and lasting peace for Ukraine," Keir Starmer told the one-day European Political Community summit in Albania.

Stressing the importance of "a just and lasting peace," he noted that it is vital that "we all step up to do more for our own defense."

"Putin must come to the table for that unconditional ceasefire," he said.

"Now, having issued (an) ultimatum, we must be prepared to follow through, because if Russia won’t come to negotiating table, Putin must pay the price," said Starmer.

Starmer noted that it was "further evidence that Putin is not serious about peace."

Accusing Russia of "dragging its feet and playing games," the British premier said that at the same time Ukraine "has shown itself to be the party of peace."

He also underlined that the world is entering a new era "characterized by volatility and instability, sadly."

"We are all saying that we need to recognize that it's a new era, but it's one characterized by volatility and instability. Sadly, that is the new era that we are entering," he added.

On the UK-EU ties, Starmer reaffirmed their efforts to strengthen relations, reiterating that he is pleased to be hosting European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Monday for the first UK-EU summit.

"It is a very important moment in this new era, and a moment that is about recognizing that many of the challenges we face, whether that's migration, growth, security, they are shared challenges, and only shared solutions will solve them."