UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has issued a stern warning that Russian President Vladimir Putin must “pay the price for dodging peace” amid ongoing efforts by European leaders to intensify sanctions and pressure on Moscow.
Starmer made the remarks ahead of the European Political Community summit in Albania’s capital, where around 40 world leaders are convening to discuss ways to further tighten sanctions against Russia following Putin’s refusal to attend recent peace talks with Ukraine.
“The people of Ukraine — and indeed the wider world — have paid dearly for Putin’s aggression,” Starmer said. “Now, it is time for him to pay the price for avoiding peace.”
Highlighting the human toll and geopolitical instability caused by the conflict, Starmer condemned Putin’s strategy of delay and denial, saying it “is intolerable.”
“For over three years, Ukraine has fought relentlessly for peace and security, while Russia continues to send thousands of young men and women to their deaths, threatening global stability,” he added.
Starmer reaffirmed the UK’s commitment — alongside the United States and more than 30 allied nations — to reject any Russian attempts to defer a ceasefire.
“A full and unconditional ceasefire must be agreed. If Russia refuses to come to the negotiating table, then Putin must bear the consequences,” he insisted.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is expected to join the summit, where Starmer will also lead a security roundtable with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson. Discussions are set to include leaders from France, Germany, Italy, Poland, and Ukraine, focusing on coordinated efforts with the US to end the conflict.
Starmer’s visit marks the first official trip by a UK leader to Albania, underscoring the importance of international unity on the Ukraine crisis.
The summit follows Putin’s controversial decision to skip peace talks in Turkey last Thursday, where Zelensky had sought a historic face-to-face meeting — their first since Russia’s invasion began in 2022.
Last week, Starmer announced the UK’s largest-ever sanctions package targeting Russia’s “Shadow Fleet,” designed to increase economic pressure and disrupt Moscow’s war capabilities.
