UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called on world leaders on Sunday to take a "once-in-a-generation opportunity" to achieve permanent peace in Europe, as he presided over a high-stakes summit in London to end Russia's war against Ukraine.
Speaking to the assembly, Starmer reiterated that a positive result for Ukraine was "vital for the security of all nations represented here and beyond." In an official photo shoot to signal the start of the negotiations, he stood with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and French President Emmanuel Macron, highlighting the importance of their cooperation.
After the summit, Starmer brushed aside fears over the US as an untrustworthy ally but emphasized that Europe needs to keep supporting Ukraine financially and militarily. He said his suggested peace plan was intended to secure support from Washington. Declaring the UK's commitment to defending Ukraine, he announced plans to use $2 billion of export financing to equip 5,000 air defense missiles.
Earlier today, Starmer revealed that Britain, France, and Ukraine had collectively committed to creating a ceasefire plan to submit to the US.
The summit occurred just days ago amid diplomatic tensions between US President Donald Trump and Zelenskyy, with Trump accusing the Ukrainian leader of not being appropriately grateful for American assistance.
Starmer took the role of a peacemaker, seeking to re-establish dialogue instead of escalating tensions. "My priority is to build a bridge to resume peace talks," he stated, emphasizing the necessity of pragmatic engagement with Trump, Zelenskyy, and Macron.
He assured that the UK and France, possibly with other European countries, would coordinate closely with Ukraine to develop a plan for stopping the conflict before negotiating with the US. Both he and Macron had called Trump since Friday to advance diplomatic efforts.
The London summit was weighted with more significance as the leaders attempted to reassert backing for Ukraine and tighten Europe's defense stance. Starmer highlighted building up a "coalition of the willing" and recognized the intensive "intense discussions" meant to win a security assurance from the US.
"If there is to be an agreement, if the conflict is to cease, it has to be a strong one—one that avoids a situation where Putin halts only to resume," he cautioned. "History has demonstrated that this is an actual danger, and we need to make certain any agreement is enduring instead of merely a temporary ceasefire."
Starmer outlined three key pillars for an effective peace agreement: equipping Ukraine with sufficient military strength, establishing a European security framework, and securing a US commitment as a safeguard against Russian aggression.
"These three elements must be in place—arming Ukraine, a European security guarantee, and a US backstop—to ensure Putin cannot break his promises," Starmer concluded. "That’s the comprehensive package I’m working hard to put together."
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