Starmer’s
plan for peace in Ukraine: key takeaways from London summit
UK prime
minister and a host of leaders, including Volodymyr Zelenskyy, met to discuss
ending the war
Caroline
Davies
Sun 2 Mar
2025 21.04 CET
Europe is
“at a crossroads in history”, said Keir Starmer as he hosted 18 leaders at a
Lancaster House summit in London to discuss a new plan for peace in Ukraine.
The UK,
France and others will work with Ukraine on a plan to stop the fighting, and
discuss that plan with the US, “and take it forward together”, the prime
minister said.
Addressing
the Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who was sitting alongside him,
Starmer added: “I hope you know that we are all with you and the people of
Ukraine for as long as it takes. Everyone around this table.”
Among
those in attendance were the French president, Emmanuel Macron; the German
chancellor, Olaf Scholz, the Canadian prime minster, Justin Trudeau; the
Spanish prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, the Italian prime minister, Giorgia
Meloni; and Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission.
Here are
some key takeaways:
1.
Ukraine must be put in strongest position for future negotiations
Starmer
added another £1.6bn in UK export finance for Ukraine to “buy more than 5,000
air defence missiles, which will be made in Belfast”, on top of the £2.2bn loan
he had announced on Saturday
This
would be vital for protecting critical infrastructure now, and strengthen
Ukraine in securing the peace, when it comes, he said.
2. There
will be a ‘coalition of the willing’
Any deal
must be backed by strength so Russia cannot breach it, Starmer said.
“Not
every nation will feel able to contribute but that can’t mean that we sit
back,” the UK prime minister said.
“The UK
is prepared to back this with boots on the ground and planes in the air
together with others, Europe must do the heavy lifting,” Starmer added.
3. The
plan must have strong US backing
While
Europe would do the “heavy lifting”, backing from the US was needed. “We are
working with the US on this point after my meeting with President Trump last
week,” Starmer said.
“We agree
with the president on the urgent need for a durable peace, now we need to
deliver together.”
The US
was not an “unreliable” ally, Starmer said when asked. It was a “strong and
reliable ally” to the UK, adding that he had spoken with Trump on Saturday
night.
“The
discussions we have had today, particularly on the coalition of the willing is
on the basis that this is a plan that we will work on with the US. That is the
purpose of the plan.”
4.
Leaders agreed to keep military aid to Ukraine flowing
Starmer
said they agreed that any lasting peace must ensure Ukraine’s sovereignty and
security “and Ukraine must be at the table”.
He added:
“In the event of peace deal we will keep boosting Ukraine’s own defensive
capabilities to deter any future invasions”.
5.
Leaders will meet again very soon
Starmer
said: “We are at a crossroads in history today, this is not a moment for more
talk, it’s time to act, time to step up and lead. And united around a new plan
for a just and enduring peace.”
6. Nato
chief says talks were ‘really positive’
The Nato
chief, Mark Rutte, said that “more European countries will ramp up defence
spending” but did not go into specifics.
He
described increased defence spending as “very good news” and reiterated the
need for “more of a fair balance” with the US.
He told
reporters the first step was to make sure there is a peace deal before there
are discussions about how to guarantee it.
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