British Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated on Sunday that the UK, France, and Ukraine have agreed to develop a ceasefire plan to submit to the United States. He is preparing to host a summit of European leaders to discuss ending the war, aiming to foster a collaborative approach.
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03-09, 2025The summit is overshadowed by U.S. President Donald Trump's stern rebuke of Ukrainian President Zelensky at the White House on Friday, accusing him of being ungrateful for U.S. support in Ukraine's fight against the Russian invasion. This has raised concerns about continued US commitment.
But Starmer said he is focused on being a bridge to restore peace talks and using the opportunity of broken negotiations to re-engage with Trump, Zelensky, and French President Emmanuel Macron, rather than "escalating rhetoric." He aims to find common ground for a peaceful resolution.
Starmer told the BBC: "We've now agreed that Britain will work with France and possibly one or two other countries with Ukraine to develop a plan to stop the fighting, and then we'll discuss that plan with the United States." Both Starmer and Macron have spoken with Trump since Friday, seeking to influence his stance.
The London meeting carries greater significance in defending the war-torn ally and strengthening the continent’s defenses. Sunday’s summit may include negotiations on establishing a European military force to be deployed to Ukraine in support of a ceasefire. Starmer indicated that this would involve "a coalition of the willing," emphasizing voluntary participation.
Starmer said he doesn’t trust Russian President Vladimir Putin, but he does trust Trump. "When Donald Trump says he wants lasting peace, do I believe him? The answer is yes," he said, highlighting his confidence in Trump's stated desire for a resolution.
Starmer said there are "intense discussions" underway to obtain U.S. security guarantees as one of three components to achieving lasting peace. "If there is to be an agreement, if the fighting is to stop, then that agreement has to be defended, because the worst of all outcomes is that there is a temporary pause and then Putin comes again," Starmer said. "That has happened in the past, and I think that's a real risk, which is why we have to make sure that if there is an agreement, it's a lasting agreement, not a temporary pause." This reflects the need for robust safeguards.
The meeting, held at Lancaster House, a 200-year-old elegant mansion near Buckingham Palace, follows a charm offensive last week to engage with Trump at the White House, placing Ukraine at the center of negotiations and shifting his allegiances toward Europe. Leaders from France, Germany, Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain, Canada, Finland, Sweden, the Czech Republic, and Romania will also attend the summit. The Turkish Foreign Minister, the NATO Secretary-General, and the Presidents of the European Commission and European Council will also be present, underscoring the breadth of international involvement.
Zelensky has received widespread support from European leaders in the wake of the White House debacle. What made the debacle particularly egregious was that it was an attack on an ally and broadcast on live television. Starmer embraced Zelensky when he arrived on Saturday for private meetings—a gathering arranged the day before the summit. "As you will have heard from the cheers in the streets outside, you have the full support of the whole of the United Kingdom," Starmer said. "We stand with you, with Ukraine, for as long as it takes," reaffirming unwavering solidarity.
Europe has been anxious since Trump initiated direct peace talks with Putin. Putin has been isolated by most Western leaders since he invaded Ukraine three years ago. Efforts to remain relevant and protect European interests are all the more unsettling as their once steadfast ally appears to be cozying up to Putin, especially as Trump called Zelensky a dictator and falsely said Ukraine started the war, raising serious concerns about the US stance.
Macron had declared his visit a "turning point," and his and Starmer’s visit to the Oval Office were seen as a step in the right direction. The meeting was cordial, and Trump even adopted a more moderate tone regarding Ukraine, although he would not commit to providing U.S. security guarantees and insisted that Europe needed to provide peacekeeping forces. This highlights the complex negotiations.
Within 12 hours of Starmer’s return from Washington, talk of peace seemed to collapse as Vice President JD Vance rebuked Zelensky for challenging Trump’s assertion that Russian President Vladimir Putin was trustworthy. This underscored the fragility of the diplomatic efforts.
Rachael Ellehuus, director general of the Royal United Services Institute, a defense and security think tank, said: "Starmer has done a remarkable job in maintaining Europe’s institutional position in the war and conveying to President Trump that Europe is willing and able to take a leading role in implementing any credible peace agreement. Unfortunately, Friday’s White House meeting was a major step in the wrong direction." This highlights the importance of European leadership.
Ellehuus said Ukraine can no longer count on U.S. military or political support after Trump declared himself neutral in negotiations. She said Europe needs to step in and could unlock some 200 billion euros ($334 billion) of seized Russian assets to help fund the effort. "The immediate priority for the London meeting must be to keep Ukraine in the fight so that it can negotiate from the strongest possible position," she said, emphasizing the need for continued support.
Starmer pledged this week to increase military spending to 2.5% of gross domestic product by 2027. Other European countries may follow suit. Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala said on Saturday that Europe faces a historic test and must take care of itself. He said European countries must increase arms spending to at least 3% of GDP. "If we do not step up our efforts soon, and let the aggressor decide the conditions, we will not end well," he said, stressing the urgency of increased defense investment.
Macron said it was legitimate for the U.S. to shift its focus to dealing with China and Asia, and he also called for increased defense spending while urging neighbors to unite. "We should have woken up earlier," Macron said. "For years, I have been saying that we need a more sovereign, more united, more independent Europe," highlighting the need for European self-reliance.
