UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has called on European nations to form a “coalition of the willing” to defend a future Ukraine-Russia peace deal. Speaking at a high-stakes summit in London, Starmer emphasized that while not every nation may contribute, those prepared to act must move forward with urgency.
Although no formal coalition has been established yet, the UK is ready to take a leading role, with Starmer pledging “boots on the ground and planes in the air” alongside European allies. He made it clear that Europe must take responsibility for its security, stating, “Europe must do the heavy lifting.”
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Sir Keir said, “a number of countries” had indicated that they wanted to be “part of the plan that we are developing”.
“I’ll leave them to make their own statements about exactly how they want to make that contribution,” he said.
“But we’ve been able to move that forward. I accept, without criticism and with respect, the position of other countries that may not feel that they want to contribute in that way – but I strongly feel that unless some move forward, we will stay in the position we’re in and not be able to move forward.”
Tensions Rise After Trump-Zelenskyy Clash
The urgency for European leadership intensified following a controversial meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The Oval Office encounter saw Trump openly criticize Zelenskyy, accusing him of “gambling with World War Three” and questioning whether Russian President Vladimir Putin could be trusted in any ceasefire agreements.
This diplomatic fallout has raised concerns among Western allies about the reliability of U.S. military support for Ukraine.
In response, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas declared on social media, “Today, it became clear that the free world needs a new leader. It’s up to us, Europeans, to take this challenge.”
Despite this, Starmer sought to reassure allies about the U.S.-UK relationship. “I do not accept that the U.S. is an unreliable ally.
“The US has been a reliable ally to the UK for many, many decades and continues to be. There are no two countries as closely aligned as our two countries. Our defence, our security and intelligence is intertwined.”
he stated, reaffirming that Britain, France, and Ukraine would collaborate on a peace plan that includes Washington’s involvement.
UK Boosts Military Aid and Defence Spending
Alongside diplomatic efforts, Starmer announced a new financial commitment to Ukraine’s defense. The UK will provide £1.6 billion in export finance to supply 5,000 additional air defense missiles. This initiative, he noted, will not only bolster Ukraine’s security but also support jobs in the UK’s defense sector.
Furthermore, Chancellor Rachel Reeves revealed an additional £2.26 billion in aid for Ukraine, funded by profits from frozen Russian assets. The UK is also set to increase defense spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027, up from 2.3%.
Meanwhile, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen echoed the need for immediate action, promising a plan to “rearm” Europe in the coming days.
“Comprehensive security guarantees” from Europe and the U.S. are necessary to ensure Ukraine can defend itself, she stated, emphasizing the need to secure Ukraine’s military and energy infrastructure.
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