Jonathan Powell The veteran negotiator being lauded over the US and Ukraine detente

In the topsy-turvy world in which Keir Starmer and his aides operate, the US putting the onus on Russia to agree to a truce with Ukraine marked a significant victory.

- Eleni Courea

The proposed 30-day ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine is the culmination of two weeks of high-wire negotiations involving Ukraine, the US, UK, France and Germany.

Within hours of the plan becoming public on Tuesday, UK sources let it be known that among its architects was Jonathan Powell, a veteran of the New Labour years who has emerged as one of the most important figures in shaping foreign policy under Starmer.

Powell was in Ukraine last weekend thrashing out the terms of the proposal in writing with Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, before Ukraine and the US entered negotiations in Saudi Arabia to get it over the line. The Guardian has been told Powell was pivotal in steering the UK response to the fallout between Donald Trump and Zelenskyy in the Oval Office on 28 February. He successfully argued that Starmer should not issue an immediate reaction on social media and instead get on the phone to both leaders.

"Jonathan Powell has earned his money," said Emily Thornberry, the Labour chair of the Commons foreign affairs committee.