PM puts pressure on Putin at global talks

MILITARY chiefs will gather in London on Thursday, as planning for a post-truce peacekeeping force in Ukraine accelerates.

- By David Williamson CHIEF POLITICAL COMMENTATOR

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer chaired a virtual meeting with 29 other world leaders yesterday, as he worked to put “maximum pressure” on Russian President Vladimir Putin to accept a ceasefire deal.

Sir Keir declared there is a “stronger collective resolve” both to support peace in Ukraine and strengthen the “collective defence and security of Europe”.

The peacekeeping strategy will now move to the “operational phase”, with the military chiefs meeting to plan how best to commit forces to post-war Ukraine.

Tougher sanctions against Russia were also discussed yesterday, as Sir Keir worked with allies to get Putin to negotiate. Pressing for an end to the killing, the PM sent a clear message to the autocrat at a Downing Street press conference.