February 26, 2025
The Kremlin rejected Ukraine peace plan made by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, which was a big setback for efforts to end the war in Ukraine. Starmer wanted to send European peacekeeping troops to Ukraine, but Russia disagreed with the idea. Even though U.S. President Donald Trump supported the plan, Moscow didn’t agree.
Ukraine Peace Plan
Earlier this week, Starmer shared his idea to lead a European peacekeeping mission in Ukraine. The goal was to have a group of soldiers help watch over ceasefire lines, protect people, and help start peace talks between Ukraine and Russia.
Starmer said the plan was important for bringing stability. He added that “the UK and Europe cannot stand by” while the war is hurting people and countries. Many countries in NATO and the European Union supported his plan, hoping it would help bring peace.
Moscow’s Rejection
But Russia quickly rejected the plan. Dmitry Peskov, a spokesperson for the Kremlin, called it a “non-starter.” He warned that any foreign troops in Ukraine without Russia’s permission would make things worse.
Peskov said, “Western troops in Ukraine would be a provocation.” He added that Russia would not allow anyone to interfere with its army or its power.
Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed, saying Russia would not accept interference. He also said that Western countries were trying to change the world’s map by making their own security plans.
Reactions from World Leaders
World leaders had different reactions to Russia’s decision. U.S. President Trump, who had first supported the plan, thought Russia might change its mind. After Russia rejected the idea, Trump said they should look for other ways to solve the problem.
French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said they were worried the war would make things worse for people and hurt Europe’s economy. They asked Russia to talk but didn’t offer a new plan.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he supported peacekeepers but warned that foreign troops wouldn’t be welcome without Russia’s agreement. He said, “We need solutions that are realistic and enforceable” while making sure Ukraine’s independence is respected.
What This Means for the War
Since Russia rejected the peace plan, it looks like the war will keep going. Starmer’s plan now faces big challenges because peacekeeping troops can’t go without many countries agreeing, including Russia.
Experts think Russia’s refusal shows it doesn’t want to give up the land it took in Ukraine. Dr. Julia Markov, a political expert, said, “This rejection shows Russia is not ready for real peace talks.” For the West, it means they may need to change how they approach the situation.
The Road Ahead
The rejection has put pressure on European leaders to find new ways to help. Some say stronger punishments or cutting off Russia from other countries might push them to talk. Others think sending more military help to Ukraine could change things.
Even though this setback happened, Starmer is still determined to find a peaceful way to end the war. He said, “This war cannot go on forever. The human cost is too high, and the global consequences too severe.” He promised to keep working with other countries to find peace.
For now, Ukraine is still stuck in the war. As the countries that support Ukraine think of new plans, everyone is waiting to see what will happen next in this big global problem.
