“While we are better placed to act as a bridge than almost any other country, there is a moment of truth coming,” said the same former ambassador quoted above. “We need to decide if we take a stand against a lousy Trump deal or stand with our European allies.”
For now, Starmer is studiously avoiding the question. Challenged over whether the U.K. could accept the concession of Crimea, the British government has stuck to the line that the conditions of a ceasefire “can only be decided by negotiations with Ukraine.”
Putin has not yet offered a substantive response to overtures from Ukraine and the U.S., with his announcement of a three-day ceasefiregreeted with suspicion by Kyiv and its allies.
The proposed pause in hostilities is to coincide with Russia’s “victory day” on May 9, which ostensibly marks their triumph over Hitler but has become a symbol of Russia’s present-day militaristic state. EU foreign ministers are expected to meet in Lviv, Ukraine, the same day in a show of solidarity with Ukraine, possibly joined by U.K. Foreign Secretary David Lammy.
As time drags on with no movement from Moscow, Trump appears increasingly frustrated with his failure to strike a deal in his first 100 days in office, let alone the first 24 hours he once promised.
Pfifer said: “The question is going to be now: is he prepared to alter course and begin to take a tougher approach towards Russia, or does he just blame both parties and walks away from it?”
Until and unless Trump abandons ship, the U.K. appears locked in to giving him the benefit of the doubt.
Clea Caulcutt reported from Paris.