British Prime Minister Elder warned that Vladimir Putin could not be allowed to play games with the possibility of ceasefire in Ukraine. On Saturday, he will hold a meeting of "Volunteer Coalitions" - groups of countries that agreed to help keep peace in Ukraine. The Prime Minister will try to increase the pressure on the Russian President so that he finally sat down at the negotiating table and stopped attacks on Ukraine after Ukraine agreed to an immediate 30-day ceasefire.
European countries, the European Commission, NATO, Canada, Ukraine, Australia and New Zealand are expected to take part in the virtual meeting. They will provide updated assistance information that can be provided to ensure a peace agreement.
This meeting occurs against Putin's praise to Donald Trump for his efforts to improve the relationship between Moscow and Washington. Trump said the United States has conducted productive discussions with Putin in recent days. Such interaction between them is alarming in Kiev and European capitals, which are concerned that the US administration adjusts to Moscow and at the same time put pressure on Ukraine.
Special Envoy Trump in the Middle East Steve Witcoff negotiated with Putin on Thursday, discussing the US proposal for an immediate 30-day ceasefire. Kyiv has already accepted this proposal, while Putin has put forward the conditions, among which the ban on Ukraine is re -arranged or mobilized during a truce.
Downing Street did not reveal what purpose the Prime Minister hopes to achieve during the meeting. The full list of participants was planned to be published in advance, but it failed. It is reported that Italy Prime Minister Georgia Meloni may not participate because of fears about the Anglo-French plans to guarantee a long-term peace agreement.
The older will present the plan that he and President Emmanuel Macron developed after Vladimir Zelensky's unsuccessful meeting with Trump in the White House two weeks ago. They discussed the Tet-a-Tet plan on Friday night before the meeting.
In his comments, the older criticized Putin for "empty words and meaningless conditions." According to the prime minister, ignoring the Kremlin's proposals for ceasefire indicates Russia's frivolous attitude to peace. He stressed the need to be prepared for serious and prolonged peace, as well as increased economic pressure on Russia if it refuses to negotiate.
