Keir Starmer called on European nations to join a ‘coalition of the willing’ to protect Ukraine at an emergency summit amid huge doubts over Donald Trump’s commitment
In Full: Keir Starmer gives statement after Ukraine summit
Keir Starmer has told an emergency summit that “it’s not a time for more talk” in the fight for Ukraine.
The Prime Minister hosted European leaders, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, as he urged them to join a “coalition of the willing” to bring the war to an end. He said Britain, France and Ukraine are working on a plan for peace which will be presented to the US.
He hit back at suggestions Washington is now an “unreliable ally” after Donald Trump’s vile diatribe against Mr Zelensky on Friday. But he said Europe must step up and join the UK in pledging boots on the ground if a peace deal is reached.
Following the crunch talks he said: “We are at a crossroads in history. It is not a moment for more talk, it’s a time to act, a time to step up and lead, and to unite around a new plan for a just and enduring peace.”
But laying down the gauntlet to the Trump administration, he said: “This effort must have strong US backing.” The Prime Minister said he had spoken with the US President before the summit, and was confident in its support.
Mr Starmer used a press conference to announce that Ukraine will be given £1.6billion of UK export finance to buy 5,000 air defence missiles, which will be made in Belfast.
Mr Starmer said leaders had agreed:
- To keep the military aid flowing and keep increasing the economic pressure on Russia
- That lasting peace must ensure Ukraine’s sovereignty and security, and Ukraine must be at the table
- If a peace deal is reached, allies will keep boosting its defence capabilities to deter future invasions
- A ‘coalition of the willing’ will be set up to defend any deal and guarantee peace
He chaired an emergency European defence summit, attended by representatives from 18 other countries including Ukraine, in an attempt to act as a bridge between the continent and the White House. It comes amid growing fears about US commitment to defending Europe after Mr Trump’s grim Oval Office attack on Mr Zelensky on Friday.
Mr Starmer hugged the Ukrainian President as he arrived at the conference. The PM told the gathering of 18 other leaders and officials: “This is a once in a generation moment for the security of Europe and we all need to step up.”
Earlier the Prime Minister said he felt “uncomfortable” watching Friday’s clash between the US President and Mr Zelensky in the Oval Office. But he said he responded by “rolling up my sleeves” and talking to both sides rather than voicing outrage on social media.
The Prime Minister told the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg: “Yes, I felt uncomfortable. Nobody wants to see that. But the important thing is how to react to that. There are a number of different routes people could go down. One is to ramp up the rhetoric as to how outraged they are…
“The other is to do what I did, which is roll up our sleeves, pick up the phone.” Asked whether he still trusts Trump, Mr Starmer said: “Yes, I do.”
He continued: “I have had extensive discussions with him and I believe his motivation is lasting peace.” But he doubled down on his demand for a US security guarantee if a peace deal is secured to end the war in Ukraine.
Responding to a question about Russian tyrant Vladimir Putin he said: “Well, no, I wouldn’t trust Putin, which is why I want a security guarantee (from the US). I wouldn’t trust him not to come again, because he’s proven that he will come again.
“He’s already done it and we know what his ambitions are.” There is growing anxiety across Europe following Mr Trump’s derisory treatment of the Ukrainian leader.
Even before the exchange, the US President had raised alarm by opening talks with Russia last month(FEB) without Mr Zelensky being present. And he is yet to commit to a security guarantee to prevent Putin striking again in the future.
This has led to a perception that the US will not take a tough line with the Russian tyrant, sparking fears for Europe’s security. Italian Prime Minister Georgia Meloni said: “I think it is very, very important that we avoid the risk that the West divides.
“On this the U.K. and Italy can play an important role in bridge-building.” And after a meeting with the Italian leader Mr Zelensky called for unity, stating: “No one other than Putin is interested in the continuation and quick return of the war.
“Therefore, it is important to maintain unity around Ukraine and strengthen our country’s position in cooperation with our allies – the countries of Europe and the United States. Ukraine needs peace backed by robust security guarantees.”
Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk said that no one in the West has any intention of capitulating to Putin’s “blackmail and aggression.” He said: “The best way to discourage Putin and other aggressors is to build our own strength, and the best way to convince President Trump to want to strengthen cooperation with Europe, and not weaken it, is our European strength.
“Everyone will want to work with a strong partner.” Following Friday’s exchange at the White House, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said: “Today, it became clear that the free world needs a new leader.
“It’s up to us, Europeans, to take this challenge.”