March 2nd 2025.
London was abuzz with activity on Sunday as leaders from Britain, France, and Ukraine came together to discuss a ceasefire plan to present to the United States. The British Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, expressed his determination to find a peaceful solution to the ongoing war, despite the recent tension between the U.S. and Ukraine.
The meeting was overshadowed by the tense exchange between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House on Friday. Trump had scolded Zelenskyy for not showing enough gratitude for the U.S.'s support against the Russian invasion. However, Starmer remained focused on his goal of restoring peace talks and used the opportunity to engage with Trump, Zelenskyy, and French President Emmanuel Macron.
"We have agreed that the United Kingdom, along with France and possibly one or two others, will work with Ukraine on a plan to end the fighting. We will then discuss this plan with the United States," Starmer explained in an interview with the BBC. Both Starmer and Macron have since spoken to Trump following the incident on Friday.
The importance of the London meeting cannot be overstated, as the leaders gathered to defend their war-torn ally and strengthen Europe's defenses. One of the main topics of discussion was the establishment of a European military force to be sent to Ukraine to support the ceasefire. Starmer referred to this as "a coalition of the willing."
Despite his lack of trust in Russian President Vladimir Putin, Starmer expressed his faith in Trump's desire for lasting peace. "Do I believe Donald Trump when he says he wants lasting peace? The answer is yes," Starmer said. He also revealed that there are ongoing discussions to secure a security guarantee from the U.S.
"If there is to be a deal, if there is to be an end to the fighting, then that agreement must be defended. The worst outcome would be a temporary pause followed by Putin's resurgence. That has happened before, and it is a real risk. That is why we must ensure that any deal is a lasting one, not just a temporary solution," Starmer emphasized.
The three essentials for a successful peace deal, as outlined by Starmer, were to arm the Ukrainians and put them in a position of strength, have a European element to guarantee security, and a "U.S. backstop" to prevent Putin from breaking his promises.
The leaders began arriving at Lancaster House, a historic mansion near Buckingham Palace, early Sunday afternoon. This meeting was the result of a charm offensive last week to persuade Trump to make Ukraine a priority and strengthen ties with Europe. Leaders from countries such as France, Germany, Denmark, Italy, and Canada were in attendance, along with top officials from various European organizations.
The recent events at the White House, which were broadcast live and considered an exceptional attack on an ally, had garnered widespread support for Zelenskyy across Europe. Starmer himself welcomed Zelenskyy to Downing Street and assured him of the UK's full support.
"As you heard from the cheers on the street outside, you have the full backing of the United Kingdom. We stand with you and Ukraine for as long as it takes," Starmer told Zelenskyy.
The European leaders have been on edge since Trump began direct peace talks with Putin, who had been isolated by most Western leaders since the invasion of Ukraine three years ago. The urgency to remain relevant and protect European interests became more pressing as Trump called Zelenskyy a dictator and falsely claimed that Ukraine had started the war.
The recent meetings with Macron and Starmer were seen as positive steps in the right direction, with Trump even taking a softer tone towards Ukraine. However, this hope for peace seemed to crumble within 12 hours of Starmer's return from Washington, as Vice President JD Vance berated Zelenskyy for challenging Trump's beliefs about Putin.
"Starmer did an impressive job of asserting Europe's agency in the war on Ukraine and conveying to President Trump that Europe is willing and able to take a leading role in implementing any credible peace deal," said Rachel Ellehuus, director-general of Royal United Services Institute, a defense and security think tank. "Unfortunately, Friday's White House meeting was a major step backward."
Ellehuus also emphasized that Ukraine could no longer rely on military and political support from the U.S. after Trump declared himself neutral in the negotiations. She suggested that Europe could release seized Russian assets worth 200 billion euros to assist in the effort.
"The main goal of the meetings in London must be to keep Ukraine in the fight so that they can negotiate from a position of strength," Ellehuus stated.
In addition to discussing peace, the leaders also pledged to increase military spending in their respective countries. Starmer announced his plans to boost military spending to 2.5% of gross domestic product by 2027, with other European nations likely to follow suit. Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala also stressed the need for European countries to increase their arms spending to at least 3% of GDP, stating that failure to do so could result in unfavorable conditions dictated by the aggressors. Macron also called for unity and a more sovereign and independent Europe.
"We should have woken up earlier. I have been saying for years that we need a more sovereign, more united, more independent Europe," Macron said.
In conclusion, the London meeting was a crucial step in finding a peaceful resolution to the ongoing war in Ukraine. The leaders acknowledged the urgency to defend their ally and strengthen their defenses, while also emphasizing the need for a united and independent Europe. Despite the recent tension and setbacks, the leaders remain determined to work towards a lasting peace deal.
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