European leaders gathered in London on Sunday to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, following a tempestuous White House meeting that thrust United States-Ukraine relations further into crisis.
During a news conference, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said “we have to learn from the mistakes of the past” and can’t “accept a weak deal” that Russia can break. All European countries must contribute to making a strong deal and “step up their own share of the burden,” Starmer added.
Starmer outlined a plan to support Ukraine, including continuing the flow of aid to Ukraine and keeping up economic pressure on Russia. He said any lasting peace agreement must ensure Ukraine’s sovereignty and security, and Ukraine must be at the negotiating table.
In the event of a deal, Starmer said Europe will continue to help Ukraine militarily to deter any future military action by Russia. He also said there will be a “coalition of the willing” to help defend Ukraine.
Starmer said that for a deal to work, it will need strong U.S. backing.
When asked by a reporter about whether President Donald Trump would support the plan’s framework, Starmer said he spoke to Trump and that he “wouldn’t be going down this road if I didn’t think it had a chance.”
