Sir Keir Starmer has said Europe will need to do the “heavy lifting” to ensure peace in Ukraine, but added “we need US backing”
Following a security summit in London aimed at ending Russia’s war with Ukraine, the prime minister said that “any deal must be backed by strength”.
He added: “Not every nation will feel able to contribute but that can’t mean that we sit back. Instead, those willing will intensify planning now with real urgency, 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.”
Sir Keir also announced a deal which will allow Ukraine to use £1.6 billion of export finance to buy more than 5,000 air defence missiles.
However, the PM also said: “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 and our defence, our security and intelligence is intertwined in a way no two other countries are, so it’s an important and reliable ally for us.”
He said that discussions on Sunday – “particularly around the coalition of the willing” – were on the basis “that this is a plan we will work with with the US and that it will have US backing”.
Watch | Starmer announces £1.6bn deal for Ukraine
Jabed Ahmed2 March 2025 17:34
Real progress’ was made on peacekeeping troops… but the PM can’t name which countries will be involved
The PM has said real progress has been made today in the plan to put together a “coalition of the willing” – aimed at stopping the fighting in Ukraine. He told journalists he is pleased that a number of countries have indicated they want to be involved, but declined to name names.
While he says they’re closer to a solution than they were before, clearly he has not done enough to persuade European leaders to publicly put their weight behind the plan.
Millie Cooke2 March 2025 17:33
Starmer sets out what was agreed at summit
Sir Keir Starmer has set out what was agreed at Sunday’s summit on Ukraine.
Speaking at a press conference in Lancaster House, the Prime Minister said that “any deal must be backed by strength”.
He went on: “Every nation must contribute to that in the best way that it can, bringing different capabilities and support to the table, but all taking responsibility to act, all stepping up their own share of the burden. So we agreed some important steps today. First, we will keep the military aid flowing and keep increasing the economic pressure on Russia to strengthen Ukraine now.
“Second, we agreed that any lasting peace must ensure Ukraine’s sovereignty and security, and Ukraine must be at the table. Third, in the event of a peace deal, we will keep boosting Ukraine’s own defensive capabilities to deter any future invasion.
“Fourth, we will go further to develop a coalition of the willing to defend a deal in Ukraine and to guarantee the peace. Not every nation will feel able to contribute but that can’t mean that we sit back. Instead, those willing will intensify planning now with real urgency, 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.”
Jabed Ahmed2 March 2025 17:33
Starmer refuses to disclose details of call with Trump
Sir Keir Starmer has refused to disclose the details of his call with Donald Trump last night.
However, the PM seemed optimistic that today’s conference is a step in the right direction.
Jabed Ahmed2 March 2025 17:30
Starmer appears to have persuaded other to have helped
On his coalition of the willing, Sir Keir Starmer seems to be optimistic that a number of European partners joining the UK and France.
He said: “A number of countries have indicated today that they want to be part of the plan we are developing. I will leave it to them to make their own statements.”
He added: “We have made real progress today.”
David Maddox2 March 2025 17:29
Analysis | US sidelined as Starmer steps up as diplomatic bridge
Starmer has made his plan to serve as a bridge between the US and Ukraine clearer than ever, saying European leaders, with Ukraine, will agree a plan to stop the fighting. The plan will then be presented to the US.
Notably, America will not be at the table for the initial talks with Ukraine. While it may serve to cool tensions between Volodmyr Zelenksy and Donald Trump, it lays bare the stark divide between Mr Trump’s talks with Vladimir Putin, and European talks with Ukraine.
Millie Cooke 2 March 2025 17:28
UK should take lead with Ukraine, Starmer says
Sir Keir Starmer has said the UK should “take lead” to ensure there is peace in Ukraine.
The PM added the security of the UK is dependent on the security of Europe.
Jabed Ahmed2 March 2025 17:27
Did the European allies discuss going it alone?
Keir Starmer refuses to accept the premise of the question despite what everyone saw with Trump, Vance and Zelensky in the White House. He insists: “The US is a reliable ally and always has been.”
He is clear he has been on the phone to Trump and hints the US might be coming round to the plan.
But Starmer is clear that his “coalition of the willing” led by France and the UK now needs to take the lead.
David Maddox 2 March 2025 17:25
Starmer: US is a reliable ally
Sir Keir Starmer is now taking questions from journalists.
The prime minister said the US is a reliable ally and that he spoke to Donald Trump last night.
He said the UK and France will present a deal to the US president.
Starmer has the beginning of ‘a coalition of the willing’
Sir Keir Starmer appears to have the start of a plan to salvage the Ukraine crisis.
He has just told journalists: “UK, France and others will work with Ukraine on a plan to stop the fighting.”
Along with that Sir Keir is backing up Ukraine’s own defence by enabling £1.6 billion of UK export financing for Ukraine to buy 5,000 missiles.
He opened off by making it clear – as he did to European partners – that the first duty of government is defence.
Ukraine for Starmer, Macron and others is part of self defence.
However, he has a strong message to Trump. While telling European partners they must spend more on defence, he has said “we need US backing”.
David Maddox 2 March 2025 17:22
