Press release

PM remarks at press conference in Kyiv: 10 May 2025

The Prime Minister's remarks at today's press conference in Kyiv.

Volodymyr, friends, it is a real pleasure to be here in Kyiv with you all. With Emmanuel, with Friedrich, and with Donald.聽

This is Europe, stepping up, showing our solidarity with Ukraine, and also showing during this week when we mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day that we understand the lessons of history.

The lesson that any veteran of Normandy, of North Africa or any other campaign will tell you but that Putin has not yet grasped:

There is no glory in aggression and conquest 鈥� glory comes from fighting for your country, defending your people, and winning the peace.聽

And that is the message of this moment.

Volodymyr, we stand with you to secure the just and lasting peace that Ukraine deserves.聽

It鈥檚 almost two months now since you agreed to an immediate 30-day ceasefire.聽In that time Russia has launched some of the most deadly attacks on civilians of the entire war. Including here in Kyiv.

Normal lives, homes, families destroyed.

This is what Russia offers in place of peace along with delays and smokescreens 鈥� like the current 72 hour ceasefire.

And so all of us here 鈥� together with the US 鈥� are calling Putin out.

If he鈥檚 serious about peace then he has a chance to show it now 鈥撀燽y extending the VE Day pause into a full, unconditional 30-day ceasefire with negotiations to follow immediately, once a ceasefire is agreed.

No more ifs and buts. No more conditions and delays. Putin didn鈥檛 need conditions when he wanted a ceasefire to have a parade. And he doesn鈥檛 need them now.聽

Ukraine has shown their willingness to engage again and again. But again and again Putin has refused.

So we are clear 鈥撀燼ll five leaders here, all the leaders of the meeting we just had with the Coalition of the Willing 鈥� an unconditional ceasefire rejecting Putin鈥檚 conditions. And clear that if he turns his back on peace, we will respond.聽

Working with President Trump, with all our partners, we will ramp up sanctions and increase our military aid for Ukraine鈥檚 defence to pressure Russia back to the table.聽

And that鈥檚 what we have been discussing today 鈥撀燼s well as securing Ukraine鈥檚 future for the longer term.

Convening the latest meeting of the Coalition of the Willing with partners joining virtually from around Europe and across the world 鈥� lining up to support Ukraine鈥檚 future strength and security, discussing operational plans and making concrete commitments of support across land, air and sea.

We want to help Ukraine look to the future with confidence 鈥� so we鈥檙e working to boost Ukraine鈥檚 economy.

And as a vital step, I鈥檓 pleased that UK experts have been on the ground leading work to support the resumption of flights聽into Ukraine, once a ceasefire is achieved.聽

It will take time 鈥� but this will be a huge moment in reconnecting Ukraine鈥檚 economy, boosting investor confidence, and helping聽to reunite families separated by this war.聽

Ukraine secure and thriving 鈥� that is what we all want to see.

With our 100-year partnership, the Critical Minerals deal with the US, and our Coalition of the Willing, we are building the framework for peace in Ukraine to support a better future for the Ukrainian people.

And to pledge once again, in our all interests, and on this anniversary, that aggression will never prevail on our continent.

Thank you.

Updates to this page

Published 10 May 2025