Starmer accuses Putin of ‘playing games’ over Ukraine peace deal

Western sanctions on Russia need to be increased, not weakened, in order to bring it to the negotiating table, Sir Keir Starmer has said.
The prime minister accused Vladimir Putin of “playing games and playing for time” after the Russian president demanded sanctions were lifted before a US-brokered maritime ceasefire is enacted.
“Now is not the time for pulling back or weakening sanctions – now is the time to increase sanctions to get them to the table,” Starmer said in Paris, where he is meeting European leaders.
French President Emmanuel Macron, co-hosting Thursday’s so-called “coalition of the willing” summit, has suggested a European reassurance force could “respond” if attacked by Moscow.
Starmer said on Thursday a “framework and a deadline” was needed for Ukraine peace talks.

Courtesy: BBC