Sir Keir has warned of Russian despot Vladimir Putin’s stranglehold on Europe (Image: PA)
Sir Keir Starmer warned Russian despot Vladimir Putin would maintain a decastating “choke hold” on Europe unless peace was secured for .
The Prime Minister spoke as Moscow dismissed plans for a 30-day ceasefire, describing the mooted pause as “nothing but temporary respite” for Kyiv.
Yuri Ushakov, Russian President ‘s foreign policy adviser, suggested any cessation in hostilities would grant a “temporary break for the Ukrainian military”, helping Kyiv’s forces at a time when Moscow claimed to be on the front foot and pushing them out of occupied territory in Kursk.
In comments that will further inflame the delicate situation Mr Ushakov rejected ceasefire plans dismissing it as nothing more than a temporary respite for the Ukrainian military to regroup.
He also said is seeking a “long-term peace settlement in that takes into account Moscow’s interests and concerns”.
Sir Keir said: “I profoundly believe that if we don’t secure a just peace and a lasting peace then insecurity, which we’ve already felt, will continue.
“And that means, here, higher prices, higher bills, the cost-of-living crisis going on for even longer – if you like, a choke hold on our future, which will be much, much harder for us to tackle.
“We know some basics: Putin’s appetite for conflict and for chaos is already there, and it will only grow.
“And is already menacing our skies, our waters, our streets and our national security.”
The PM added: “More now than ever, national security is economic security and strength abroad, and we definitely need that more than ever at the moment, but that demands security back at home.
“Because you’re not strong if your energy security is exploited by Putin.”
Despot Putin will not enter peace talks without a guarantee that Ukraine is banned from joining Nato (Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)
wants a cast-iron guarantee that will be banned from joining Nato before it signs any peace deal as America tries to broker a truce between the warring countries.
Mr Ushakov said a “normal exchange of opinions” between and the US is “taking place in a calm manner”.
holds just under one-fifth of and has so far refused to enter peace talks with Kyiv.
But no progress will be made unless guarantees are given that is blocked from joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation which was formed in 1949.
Nato’s primary purpose was to block expansion in Europe by the former Soviet Union – the group of communist republics headed by . Membership rules state that if one is attacked, all others help defend it.
Nato does not have its own army, but military action by member countries is taken as a collective response.
The Kremlin also wants recognition of ‘s claim to Crimea and four Ukrainian provinces and an agreement that foreign troops not be deployed in the country.
Moscow has dismissed plans for a 30-day ceasefire (Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)
Sir Keir defended his decision to offer British troops to a peacekeeping force to secure an agreement but said any peace deal would have to allow to be “sovereign and secure”.
He said: “There have been settlements in before which had not been backed up. Nobody’s defended the deal, and Putin has just crossed the line again when he wants to.
“That is not good for . It’s not good for Europe and it’s not good for us.”
President said the world has “yet to hear a meaningful response from ” to the ceasefire proposal.
He added: “This once again demonstrates that seeks to prolong the war and postpone peace for as long as possible. We hope that US pressure will be sufficient to compel to end the war.”