Starmer calls for fulfillment of ultimatum after Putin snubs negotiations

He said this at the European Political Community summit in Tirana, Interfax-Ukraine reported.

Starmer stressed that now is an important moment to unite around calling for an unconditional ceasefire. He said Putin must come to the negotiating table for this ceasefire and reminded everyone about the ultimatum issued last weekend.

U.S. President Donald Trump also supported him.

He said that Thursday, May 15, when the Kremlin leader skipped the talks in Turkey, was more proof that Putin is not serious about peace.

Starmer emphasized that Russia was dragging its feet and playing games, while Ukraine had shown itself to be a party of peace. He added that Zelenskyy’s leadership throughout the war, in the fight against Russian aggression, as well as the resilience and courage of the Ukrainian people, should be admired.

Ukraine-Russia peace talks in Istanbul

On the evening of May 14, Russia announced the composition of its delegation for talks with Ukraine in Istanbul.

Putin’s spokesperson Dmitry Peskov later stated that Russian leader Vladimir Putin will not be present during the talks between the Russian and Ukrainian delegations in Turkey on May 15.

On May 16, a trilateral meeting of delegations from Ukraine, the United States, and Turkey took place in Istanbul. Following this, negotiations between representatives of Russia and Ukraine began, with some delay.