Starmer Urges Europe To Ramp Up Pressure On 'Rattled' Putin

Keir Starmer has called on European leaders to put more economic pressure on Russia, saying Donald Trump's threat of sanctions has Vladimir Putin "rattled".

- Rowena Mason

Before a meeting in Brussels today, the prime minister said it was necessary to "see all allies stepping up - particularly in Europe" when it comes to inflicting economic harm on Russia, and argued it would help bring about peace by bringing an end to the Ukraine war sooner.

"President Trump has threatened more sanctions on Russia and it's clear that's got Putin rattled. We know that he's worried about the state of the Russian economy," he said.

"I'm here to work with our European partners on keeping up the pressure, targeting the energy revenues and the companies supplying his missile factories to crush Putin's war machine. Because ultimately, alongside our military support, that is what will bring peace closer."

Trump warned last month that he would impose high tariffs and more sanctions on Russia if Putin failed to end the war in Ukraine. The US president claimed before the election that he would negotiate an end to the war in just one day.