‘We are at a crossroads in history’: Europe aims to take control of Ukraine negotiations at crucial London summit
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer told European leaders at a summit in London on Sunday that the West is at “a crossroads in history” as the continent tries to take over negotiations over the Russia-Ukraine war from the United States and present a united front amid a crisis in relations between Kiev and Washington. “This is not a time for more words. This is the time for action,” Starmer said after a crucial day of diplomacy in London, where European leaders tried to pave the way for a ceasefire in Ukraine. The urgency of the summit at London’s grand Lancaster House was heightened after US President Donald Trump rebuked Zelensky in the Oval Office, shocking the West and enraging Moscow. Zelensky and a group of European leaders were present at the tense moment in the conflict.
Starmer told reporters he was working with France and several other countries to draw up a plan to stop the fighting, which would then be presented to the US.
The process appears set to rival the negotiations the Trump administration opened with Russia last month and signals a tacit acknowledgement that bringing Trump and Zelensky to a joint negotiating table could further escalate tensions. But a deal would still require American support, Starmer reiterated at a news conference on Sunday. He insisted the US “is not an unreliable ally” after the bitter clash between Trump and Zelensky that has deeply shaken Europe. The West hopes Sunday’s summit has put the peace process back on track, which had seemed to be building slowly this week but collapsed in a few dramatic minutes on Friday. The summit showcased European unity, and some leaders present tried to correct the perception that the continent was merely a spectator in negotiations to end the war.
A “COALITION OF THE WILLING”
“Ultimately, a deal will have to include Russia, of course that will happen, but we cannot approach this issue by allowing Russia to dictate the terms of any security guarantees before we have reached an agreement – otherwise, we will make no progress,” Starmer said.
The UK and France have been working to create a “coalition of the willing” that would enter Ukraine after a deal is reached. “If a deal is reached, it must be defended,” Starmer stressed. Zelensky was given a warm welcome by Starmer on Saturday, which could not have been more different from the reception he received at the White House. King Charles also met Zelensky at his Sandringham estate on Sunday. The earlier spectacle of the US president and vice president berating the leader of a war-torn country further intensified the significance of Sunday’s summit, which was originally called by Starmer to build on progress made during a similar meeting in Paris last weekend.
Trump and JD Vance accused Zelensky of being ungrateful for American military support, of “playing with the lives of millions of people” and of risking a “Third World War” by fighting the invading Russian army in his country.
These scenes were Europe’s worst nightmare. “Nobody wants to see this,” Starmer told the BBC on Sunday. He added that as soon as he saw the heated exchange between Trump and Zelensky, “I immediately picked up the phone.” The Ukrainian leader will return to Kiev with more than just warm words. On Saturday, Britain announced a deal to fast-track a $2.8 billion loan to Ukraine. The first tranche of the funding is expected to be disbursed next week, according to the British government. In a post on Telegram, Zelensky said: “The money will go to arms production in Ukraine. This is the right way: whoever started the war must pay.” He added that “this loan will strengthen our defense capabilities.”
On Sunday, Starmer announced a new deal allowing Ukraine to use 1.6 billion pounds ($2 billion) of UK export funds to buy over 5,000 advanced air defence missiles, which will be manufactured in Belfast.
“A MOMENT THAT HAPPENS ONLY ONCE IN A GENERATION”
“We are gathered here today because this is a once-in-a-generation moment for European security, and we must all do more,” Starmer said as he opened Sunday’s summit. Downing Street said the meeting had three main objectives: Ukraine’s short-term needs, reaching a “sustainable agreement” to end the conflict, and “planning for strong security guarantees.” “I hope you know that we are all with you and the people of Ukraine for as long as it takes, all around this table,” Starmer told Zelensky as the summit opened.
French President Emmanuel Macron, outgoing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and leaders of several European countries, the European Union and NATO were in attendance. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni told Starmer on Sunday that it was “very, very important to avoid the risk of the West being divided” over the war in Ukraine. The two leaders could be crucial in steering the peace process; both have developed strong relationships with Trump and are expected to use that influence to persuade the president to listen to European proposals.
