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British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is organizing a second virtual summit of international leaders this Saturday to discuss Ukraine, as diplomatic efforts intensify to secure a 30-day ceasefire with Russia.

The upcoming meeting, which Starmer describes as gathering the “coalition of the willing,” will explore ways to provide military and financial assistance to Ukraine, while also discussing potential future peacekeeping initiatives.

According to prepared remarks from Starmer’s office, he will emphasize the need for readiness to monitor any potential ceasefire if Russia agrees to negotiate. “If Russia finally comes to the table, then we must be ready to monitor a ceasefire to ensure it is a serious, and enduring peace,” Starmer is set to tell leaders, in remarks released by his office ahead of the meeting. “If they don’t, then we need to strain every sinew to ramp up economic pressure on Russia to secure an end to this war.”

The virtual conference will include approximately 25 nations, featuring European allies, Ukraine, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. Representatives from NATO and the European Union’s executive branch will also participate. Notably absent will be the United States, which has adopted a different stance on the conflict since President Donald Trump’s return to office, particularly evident after his tense meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in late February.

The summit occurs as the U.S. puts forward a proposal for a month-long ceasefire, which has received Zelenskyy’s support. While Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed general agreement with a truce, he has outlined numerous conditions requiring clarification. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has expressed measured hope following Putin’s meeting with American envoy Steve Witkoff.

Starmer, however, remains skeptical of Putin’s intentions. “Putin is trying to delay, saying there must be a painstaking study before a ceasefire can take place. But the world needs to see action, not a study, or empty words and pointless conditions,” Starmer said. “The Kremlin’s complete disregard for President Trump’s ceasefire proposal only serves to demonstrate that Putin is not serious about peace.”

Working alongside French President Emmanuel Macron, Starmer has been instrumental in forming this coalition, partly to encourage continued American support for Ukraine. This initiative has already prompted European nations to recognize the importance of strengthening their defense capabilities.

Macron has engaged in recent discussions with both Zelenskyy and Starmer regarding developments from the U.S.-Ukraine talks in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, which resulted in renewed American military aid and intelligence cooperation with Ukraine.

With Ukraine facing intense military pressure three years into Russia’s full-scale invasion, and Putin seemingly advantaged on the battlefield, analysts suggest the Russian leader may be reluctant to accept an immediate ceasefire.

Starmer concludes with a direct message to Moscow: “My message to the Kremlin could not be clearer: stop the barbaric attacks on Ukraine, once and for all, and agree to a ceasefire now.”