"Russia is the aggressor here": Starmer demands ceasefire in Ukraine
The UK is calling for an immediate unconditional ceasefire after an overnight strike on Kyiv
Last updated 24th Apr 2025
The Prime Minister has called for Russia's Vladimir Putin to agree to an immediate unconditional ceasefire in Ukraine after an overnight strike on Kyiv.
More than 70 people were injured and at least nine were killed in a Russian attack on the Ukrainian capital.
Sir Keir Starmer said the attack demonstrated that Mr Putin was "the aggressor here", in a visit to a Rolls-Royce manufacturing site in Filton, Bristol.
"We've seen terrible attacks by Russia overnight on Ukraine and that's a reminder that Russia is the aggressor here and the human cost of this is being felt by the Ukrainians," said the Prime Minister.
"We need Russia to come to the table for the unconditional ceasefire that is needed and that needs to be lasting.
"This week we made progress with discussions in London and they went well.
"I'm really proud that the UK is playing a leading role in supporting Ukraine and we will continue to do so."
Mr Trump accused his Ukrainian counterpart Mr Zelensky of making it "difficult to settle" the war with Russia over his opposition to recognising Moscow's annexation of Crimea.
The US administration is urging Kyiv to accept Russia's continued control of occupied Ukrainian regions and Moscow's ownership of the Crimean peninsula as part of a peace settlement.
Foreign Office minister Stephen Doughty, responding to an urgent question, told the House of Commons: "The UK's position regarding Ukrainian sovereignty is well known and our position has not changed, and we do not recognise Russian sovereignty over any territory illegally seized from Ukraine, including Crimea.
"And when, how and what terms this war comes to an end can only be decided by negotiations, with Ukraine at the heart."
Mr Doughty earlier said the UK condemned "Russia's most brutal missile and drone attacks on civilians, including overnight", describing them as "absolutely horrific scenes".
The minister said talks held in London between the UK, France, Germany, the US and Ukraine were "productive and successful", adding: "Significant progress was made in reaching a common position on next steps and all agreed to continue close co-ordination and look forward to further talks soon."
But the talks between the nations on Wednesday were downgraded to technical discussions after US secretary of state Marco Rubio decided not to attend.
Shadow foreign secretary Dame Priti Patel said: "For all the talks that are taking place, it is concerning that a clear, unified front in support of Ukraine which secures a peace on their terms has yet to emerge."
Downing Street insisted it was not "taking sides" between Ukraine and the US in the talks.
The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: "We share President Trump's desire to bring this barbaric war to an end and we are, as you saw in the talks yesterday in London, working closely with the US and other international partners to secure a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, but we have been clear it remains the case that how and on what terms that war comes to end can only be decided by Ukraine."