UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced a comprehensive four-point plan aimed at working with Ukraine to end the war and bolster the nation’s defense against Russia. The initiative includes the formation of a “coalition of the willing,” involving the UK, France, and other nations, with a call for US support in these efforts.
“We are at a crossroads in history today,” said Starmer after a summit attended by 18 leaders, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Zelensky expressed appreciation for the “strong support” from Europe, emphasizing the unity displayed during the summit, which followed a tense exchange between himself and US President Donald Trump.
Starmer outlined the agreed-upon points at a subsequent news conference:
- Maintain and increase military aid to Ukraine while boosting economic pressure on Russia.
- Ensure any lasting peace respects Ukraine’s sovereignty and security, with direct Ukrainian involvement in negotiations.
- Strengthen Ukraine’s defensive capabilities in the event of a peace agreement to deter future invasions.
- Form a coalition to uphold any peace deal and guarantee Ukraine’s security moving forward.
Additionally, Starmer announced an extra £1.6 billion ($2 billion) in UK export finance to procure over 5,000 air defense missiles, building on a previous £2.2 billion loan aimed at military support funded by profits from frozen Russian assets. He emphasized the necessity of learning from past failures, insisting that any deal must be robust enough to withstand potential breaches by Russia.
While Starmer did not specify which nations would join the coalition, he asserted that those committed would act with urgency. He pledged that the UK would support this initiative with “boots on the ground and planes in the air,” asserting that “Europe must do the heavy lifting.”
Expressing a need for US involvement, he acknowledged that while Moscow must be included in negotiations, it should not dictate terms. “We agree with Trump on the urgent need for durable peace. Now we need to deliver together,” he stated.
When asked about the reliability of the US as an ally under Trump, Starmer responded, “Nobody wanted to see what happened last Friday, but I do not accept that the US is an unreliable ally.” Attendees at the summit included leaders from France, Poland, Sweden, Turkey, Norway, and several other European countries.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen highlighted the urgent need to “re-arm Europe,” a sentiment echoed by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, who noted that European nations are stepping up to ensure Ukraine has the necessary support.
Following the summit, Zelensky met with King Charles III at Sandringham and later indicated readiness to sign a minerals deal with the US, which had been initially expected to be finalized during his visit to Washington. However, that meeting ended in a heated confrontation with Trump and his aides.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent previously cautioned that any deal on minerals with Ukraine could not proceed without a peace agreement with Russia. Addressing concerns about the deal’s future, Zelensky expressed confidence in signing if all parties are prepared.
The summit’s conclusion marked an intense week of diplomacy, which included visits from global leaders, following Zelensky’s contentious encounter with Trump, who has publicly suggested a preference for negotiations with Russia over Ukraine’s involvement in discussions.
