Starmer hints at need for tougher sanctions on russia after Paris meeting

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said russia was "playing games" and hinted at the need for tougher sanctions on the aggressor state.

He said this at a press conference after a meeting of Ukraine's allies in Paris, The Guardian reports.

Starmer described the meeting as "very constructive". According to him, the leaders agreed on the need for more support for Ukraine "to make sure that Ukraine has the strongest position, both now and in further negotiations".

"It was absolutely clear that russia is trying to delay [peace], is playing games, and we need to be absolutely clear about that", he said.

Starmer added that it was "absolutely clear that now is not the time to lift sanctions".

"On the contrary, we discussed how we can strengthen sanctions to support the US initiative to force russia to the negotiating table due to further pressure from this group of countries," he said.

The United States has reached separate agreements with Ukraine and russia to stop attacks at sea and against energy facilities, while Washington has agreed to insist on the lifting of some sanctions against Moscow.

He said the meeting also discussed "military and operational" plans to support any ceasefire and peace in Ukraine, "whether on the ground, in the air, or at sea."

"A strong result of the meeting was that so many countries are supporting Ukraine, as they have been for more than three years, at this crucial moment for as long as it takes," he said.

As Ukrainian News Agency earlier reported, the European Commission previously emphasized that the withdrawal of all russian troops from Ukraine would be one of the main conditions for lifting or changing EU sanctions against the aggressor state of russia.

Today, a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing was held in Paris, where support for Ukraine in deterring russian aggression and achieving a just and lasting peace was discussed.

To request a correction, please send an email.