British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Tuesday promised to stand by the people of Ukraine for “as long as it takes” as he hit out at Russian President Vladimir Putin for blocking the path to peace, just as China said it would support all efforts aimed at achieving peace in the Ukraine crisis.
Starmer told the session of the Cabinet on the fourth anniversary of Putin’s invasion of his neighbour to praise the “incredible resilience” of Ukraine.
He said “this is not a remote conflict, a long way away from the United Kingdom.
“It’s about our values of freedom, democracy, and the right of a country to decide for itself what it does, which is democracy and sovereignty.”
The impact of the war was being felt in households across the UK due to the spike in energy prices since the invasion, he said.
“They are still 40% higher than they were before,” he said.
“So, every family is feeling it.
“And how and when this conflict ends are going to affect everybody in the United Kingdom for a very long time, which is why it is so important we make sure that it’s a just and lasting peace.”
But he said “it is Putin who is standing in the way” of that outcome
Also, China Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Mao Ning, said China’s position on the crisis has been consistent and clear.
“Recently, a door for dialogue has finally opened in the Ukraine crisis, with all parties maintaining talks,” Mao said, adding that dialogue and negotiation remain the only viable path to resolving the issue.
She expressed hope that all parties would seize the opportunity to reach a comprehensive, lasting and binding peace agreement.
“China is willing to work with the international community to continue playing a constructive role in promoting the political resolution of the crisis,” Mao said.
