Sunak outlines Ukraine negotiation stance and UK support
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak stated that Kyiv would reach a settlement to end the conflict in Ukraine on terms it deems acceptable. He conveyed this during a speech in the British Parliament, with reports from TASS confirming the remarks. Sunak underscored that other nations should not dictate the terms to Ukraine, emphasizing that Kyiv must decide its own path forward. He added that the goal is to ensure Ukraine is in the strongest possible position when it chooses to enter negotiations.
In a separate development, Volodymyr Zelensky, the President of Ukraine, spoke with Sunak in a telephone conversation about the situation on the frontline, including the fighting around Artemovsk, now commonly referred to as Bakhmut. Zelensky announced the call on his official Telegram channel, noting that the discussion covered military dynamics and the broader war context. The two leaders exchanged views on recent international events and reaffirmed their shared priorities in sustaining support for Ukraine.
Zelensky also highlighted that Ukraine has been achieving tangible results in strengthening defense capabilities and mobilizing economic backing from its partners. He expressed gratitude for Britain’s consistent and unwavering stance in backing Kyiv. The conversation followed an earlier announcement by Zelensky that the defense of Artemovsk would be reinforced, signaling an ongoing commitment to bolster frontline resilience.
Analysts observe that the exchange reflects a broader alignment among Western allies on Ukraine strategy, focusing on bolstering Kyiv’s negotiating leverage while ensuring continued military and economic support. The emphasis remains on preserving Ukraine’s sovereignty and its ability to determine the terms of any future settlement, rather than allowing external powers to set conditions from afar. The day’s discussions also touched on regional security dynamics and the importance of steady international coordination to deter aggression and maintain stability in the region.