British Prime Minister Keir Starmer urged European leaders to respond to President Trump’s Ukraine Peace Plan to ensure the continent’s security. Speaking at a London summit focused on enhancing military cooperation and reaffirming support for Ukraine in its conflict with Russia, Starmer called for decisive action.
The summit on Sunday came shortly after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had a tense exchange with former US President Donald Trump in Washington. World leaders at the London meeting expressed strong support for Zelensky and pledged to increase assistance for Ukraine.
European leaders acknowledged the need to boost defence spending, aiming to prove to President Trump that the continent is capable of self-defence. With many nations already facing financial strain, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed easing debt restrictions to facilitate increased military budgets.
Kier Starmer announced plans for the UK, Ukraine, France, and other countries to form a “coalition of the willing” to draft a peace proposal for President Trump. While he didn’t specify which nations would join, he expressed confidence that more countries were ready to participate.
“We are at a pivotal moment in history,” Starmer said. “This isn’t the time for endless discussions. It’s a time for action, leadership, and unity around a plan for lasting peace.”
More Money for Ukraine
He also revealed a deal allowing Ukraine to access £1.6 billion in UK export financing, enabling the purchase of over 5,000 air defence missiles. Starmer emphasized that Europe must take the lead in securing peace in Ukraine, while stressing the importance of strong support from the United States.
According to Starmer, the key elements for a successful peace agreement include arming Ukraine to strengthen its position, ensuring European involvement to provide security guarantees, and maintaining US backing to hold Russia accountable.
Starmer denied that his push for increased European defence spending reflected doubts about the US as a reliable ally. He highlighted the close relationship between himself and President Trump, stating they were both aligned.
EU President Von der Leyen underscored the urgency for Europe to rearm, calling on member states to allocate more resources to defence. She stressed that Europe must demonstrate to the US its commitment to protecting democracy.
“After years of underinvestment, it’s now essential to increase defence spending over the long term,” von der Leyen said after the summit.
Working to Achieve Peace
President Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for the unified support he received, calling the display of European solidarity unprecedented in recent times. “We are working together in Europe to find common ground with the US to achieve true peace and secure safety,” he wrote on Social Media App Telegram.
The meeting in London precedes a European Commission summit in Brussels on Thursday, where a new defence package will be unveiled. The plan aims to strengthen Ukraine’s military capabilities and regional security, emphasizing the need for a solid agreement to protect Kyiv’s sovereignty.
Zelenskyy’s visit to London, which included a warm greeting from Starmer and the announcement of a $2.84 billion defence loan funded by frozen Russian assets, followed a heated meeting in Washington.
President Trump and Vice President JD Vance criticized Zelensky for rejecting proposed truce terms and accused him of risking global conflict. Despite the tensions, Zelenskyy reaffirmed his commitment to working with President Trump.
“Despite tough talks, we remain strategic partners,” he posted on X. “Honesty and direct communication are key to achieving our shared goals.”
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