Negotiated end to war is decision for Ukraine to make, says PM
Rishi Sunak reaffirms UK’S support for Kyiv during meeting with French president in Paris
THE Ukraine conflict will end “at the negotiation table”, Rishi Sunak has said, despite insisting the focus was on defeating Russia on the battlefield.
Speaking to reporters on the way to a summit with Emmanuel Macron, the French president, in Paris, the Prime Minister said: “Of course, this will end as all conflicts do at negotiating table, but that is a decision for Ukraine to make.”
However, during a press conference yesterday Mr Sunak appeared to harden his stance, saying he wanted to be “unequivocal” about the UK’S desire for Ukraine to “win this war”.
The remarks come amid questions over the unity of the West more than a year on from Russia’s full scale invasion of Ukraine. Leaders in London, Washington, Paris and Berlin have often emphasised how the West has stood firm behind Ukraine by providing military equipment and economic sanctions against Russia.
Yet differences on how and when negotiations to end the conflict could possibly be held have spilled over into the public at various points, with French leaders seen as more open to talks.
Asked about Mr Macron’s comments at Munich last month, where he said Europe must defeat but not crush Russia, Mr Sunak said: “What he said at Munich was now is not the time for negotiations.
“I think everyone at the moment is united, as I was saying, in providing Ukraine with the additional support that they need in order to have a decisive battlefield advantage. That’s what we’re aiming for.
“Of course, this will end as all conflicts do at the negotiating table, but that is a decision for Ukraine to make. And what we need to do is put them in the best possible place to have those talks at an appropriate moment that makes sense for them.
“But at the moment, the priority has got to be giving them the resources the training and the support they need to push forward and create advantage on the battlefield.”
Hours later, the Prime Minister was asked again about the issue at his press conference with Mr Macron and appeared to put less of an emphasis on the prospect of negotiations.
Mr Sunak said: “I think I agree with Emmanuel, so let me just be unequivocal about this: we want Ukraine to win this war, and we’re absolutely united in that. And right now that means providing them with the support and the capabilities and the training in order to mount a counter-offensive and have decisive advantage on the battlefield.
“And that’s what you’ve seen from the UK, from France, from other allies, whether it’s through the provision of main battle tanks, longer range weapons, as we’ve announced today, training of Marines – these are all things that will help Ukraine win this war, gain that advantage on the battlefield, mount a successful counter-offensive.
The first Anglo-french summit since 2018 also saw a plan unveiled for increased allied activity in the Indopacific. Number 10 said it would include establishing France and the UK as the “backbone” to a permanent European maritime presence there.
The approach will include co-ordinating regular deployment of France’s Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier and the UK’S HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales carriers.
It comes ahead of an update to the review on foreign and security policy, which Mr Sunak will announce on Monday during a visit to the US.
‘Let me be unequivocal about this: we want Ukraine to win this war, and we’re united in that’