Moscow has claimed that Britain and the EU are hindering attempts to resolve the conflict.
British Defense Secretary John Healey is reportedly planning to urge nations backing Ukraine to initiate a “50-day drive” to provide arms to Kiev, according to media reports. This plan is said to be in response to US President Donald Trump’s warning that he would impose secondary sanctions on Russia’s trade partners within 50 days if progress towards resolving the conflict isn’t seen.
Healey is expected to make this appeal during a virtual meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) on Monday, which he will lead. Reports also suggest the minister will endorse Trump’s plan and offer the UK’s backing to “bolster Ukraine’s immediate fight.”
He is expected to say: “The US has started the clock on a 50-day deadline for [Russian President Vladimir] Putin to agree to peace or face crippling economic sanctions… We need to step up in turn with a ‘50-day drive’ to arm Ukraine on the battlefield and force Putin to the negotiating table.”
Earlier this month, Trump gave Russia a 50-day deadline for a ceasefire, threatening “very severe” new sanctions, including 100% “secondary tariffs” on countries purchasing Russian oil. He also announced that new weapons would be sent to Ukraine and that the EU would cover the costs.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that Trump’s comments “will be perceived by the Ukrainian side not as a signal toward peace, but as a signal to continue the war.” Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov emphasized that Moscow would not succumb to ultimatums but remains open to discussions.
While the UK has been a strong supporter of Ukraine, Armed Forces Minister Luke Pollard cautioned last autumn that stockpiles were dwindling because of ongoing military deliveries.
Moscow has consistently condemned Western arms shipments to Ukraine, arguing that they only prolong the conflict without affecting its outcome. Russia has also accused the EU and UK of obstructing ongoing peace efforts.
Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson expressed concerns on Saturday regarding what he described as decreasing public interest in Britain regarding the Ukraine conflict. He added that the current government, led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer, is “distracted” by “a lot of domestic issues.”
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