Britain Now Branded As Russia's Main Enemy

LONDON, SATURDAY - European countries, particularly the United Kingdom, have criticized Russia's commitment to a ceasefire in the Ukraine-Russia War. The active participation of the United Kingdom in these efforts does not appear to be warmly received by Moscow. On the other hand, the United States remains optimistic that the war will come to an end.

"We cannot allow President Putin to undermine the agreement of U.S. President Donald Trump. The Kremlin's complete disregard for President Trump's proposed ceasefire only demonstrates that Putin is not serious about peace," said British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in a statement from the office at Downing Street, London, Friday (15/3/2025).

Starmer stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin has not taken the 30-day ceasefire efforts in Ukraine seriously. The comment came after Putin expressed questions about how the ceasefire would be implemented.

Observing the recent actions of the United Kingdom regarding Ukraine, several Russian officials have stated that London is now considered Moscow's primary adversary. This contrasts with the previous situation, where Russia often criticized the United States, particularly before the Trump era. However, the situation has now shifted.

Previously, last Thursday, Putin stated that Russia supports the United States' proposal for a ceasefire under certain conditions. These conditions include Putin's demand that Ukraine abandon its ambition to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), Russia gain control over all four regions it claims as its own, and the limitation of Ukraine's military forces. These demands were rejected by Kyiv.

For Starmer, the conditions proposed by Putin actually demonstrate that Putin is attempting to delay the ceasefire, rather than pursuing peace. Meanwhile, Ukraine has expressed its willingness for a ceasefire and negotiations with Russia.

Starmer has held discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy regarding the ongoing situation. Similarly, Macron has called for Russia to accept the proposed ceasefire agreement.

“Russia must now accept the US-Ukraine proposal for a 30-day ceasefire. Russian aggression in Ukraine must end. The cruelty must stop. "Similar to the postponement statement," Macron tweeted on platform X.

Macron continued, around 40 Chiefs of Defense Staff met in Paris on Tuesday (11/3/2025). "We will continue to work to strengthen support for Ukraine and achieve a solid and lasting peace," he said.

In a video of his speech at X, Zelenskyy said he and Macron had discussed “diplomatic conditions, available options, technical aspects of observing the ceasefire.” “We have clear support from France,” he said.

Zelenskyy added in a tweet that Russia was trying to set conditions for a ceasefire and wanted to destabilize the ceasefire process. “Putin cannot be trusted. His reaction already shows that Moscow does not want peace or an end to the war,” Zelenskyy wrote.

Both Starmer and Macron have led initiatives to create a coalition of the willing since Trump opted to negotiate directly with Putin without involving Europe last month. The coalition aims to bolster security guarantees to Ukraine by preventing Putin from violating any ceasefire.

Starmer and Macron have said they are willing to deploy British and French troops to Ukraine. But it is unclear whether other countries are interested in doing the same.

Starmer will press about 25 world leaders for concrete commitments to support Ukraine and increase pressure on Putin for a ceasefire, at a virtual meeting on Saturday (15/3/2025). He will also seek logistical, financial or military support for Kyiv from Europe, Australia, Canada and New Zealand to strengthen Ukraine's position in the talks.

As Britain engages in diplomacy on Ukraine, it has once again been given the status of Russia’s public enemy number one. It is a title it has held and relinquished for the past two centuries, dating back to the Crimean War of 1853-56, when Britain entered the alliance that defeated the Russian Empire.

Britain has offered training and finance to Ukraine's military. It was the first country to promise Ukraine battle tanks and to send long-range cruise missiles when others hesitated.

Three Russian officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Britain was now seen as Moscow’s main adversary, even though Moscow had been a vocal critic of the U.S. before Trump’s era for its support of Ukraine.

One of the officials said London had shown it could lead by example in Ukraine. “They are the locomotive and they are pulling others along with them,” the official said.

Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) said in an unusual statement on Monday (10/3/2025) that London was acting as a global 'warmonger' like in the run-up to the two World Wars. The SVR assessed that Britain was trying to thwart Trump's efforts to mediate peace in Ukraine.

Recently, two British diplomats were expelled by Russia on suspicion of spying. The British Foreign Office told CNN that Moscow's allegations were baseless. The mutual expulsions of diplomats by Russia and Britain have reduced the number of staff at the British Embassy to about 10 since the war began. Neither Russia nor Britain has a defense attaché at the post.

Russian officials have also made threats against Britain. “If Britain today attacks our territory with its missiles from Ukraine, I consider this a good reason for Britain to cease to exist,” Andrei Gurulyov, a pro-Putin lawmaker and former military commander, said in January.

Despite that, US President Donald Trump thinks Russia is showing good faith regarding the ceasefire in Ukraine. He thinks Russia will make a deal.

"Pretty good vibes coming from Russia," Trump said Friday (3/14/2025).

Trump admitted he was being a little “sarcastic” when he repeatedly claimed he could end the Ukraine-Russia war in 24 hours. The claim was made when he was still a US presidential candidate. So far, it has been 54 days since he took office.

“Well, I was being a bit sarcastic when I said that, What I really meant was I wanted to get it done and, I think, I think I will,” he said in an interview excerpt for the television program Full Measure, aired on Sunday (16/3/2025).

Such an admission is rare from Trump. The president has a long track record of exaggerating claims. Republicans often repeated Trump's claim that he ended the war in 24 hours during the campaign.

In the interview, Trump was also asked what his plan would be if Putin did not agree to a ceasefire. “It’s terrible news for the world because so many people are dying. But I think, I think he would agree. I think I know him pretty well and I think he would agree,” he said. (AP/AFP/Reuters)