British Prime Minister Keir Starmer welcomed a host of European leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to London on Sunday for a pivotal summit aimed at securing a "just and lasting peace" in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. The gathering, held at a critical juncture three years into Russia’s invasion, sought to bolster Ukraine’s position amid shifting global dynamics and a recent diplomatic rift with the United States.
The summit followed Zelensky’s tumultuous visit to Washington, where a heated exchange with US President Donald Trump abruptly ended his trip. In stark contrast, the Ukrainian leader was warmly received in the UK, arriving on Saturday for bilateral talks with Starmer and a rare audience with King Charles at Sandringham. The royal welcome underscored Britain’s steadfast support, a sentiment echoed by cheering crowds outside 10 Downing Street.
Starmer, speaking to the BBC on Sunday, expressed confidence in finding common ground with Trump, despite the US leader’s threats to scale back support for Ukraine. “I trust President Trump wants a lasting peace, and I share that goal,” Starmer said, positioning himself as a mediator between Europe and America. His comments came after late-night phone calls with both Trump and Zelensky, reflecting his efforts to de-escalate tensions following their White House clash.
The London summit saw an impressive turnout, with leaders from France, Germany, Italy, Denmark, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain, Canada, Finland, Sweden, Czechia, and Romania in attendance, alongside Turkey’s Foreign Minister, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, and EU heavyweights Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa. The agenda zeroed in on three key priorities: reinforcing Ukraine’s military and economic resilience, crafting a durable peace agreement to deter future Russian aggression, and laying the groundwork for robust security guarantees.
“Three years after Russia’s brutal invasion, we stand at a turning point,” Starmer declared. “Together with our allies, we must ramp up efforts to ensure Ukraine’s sovereignty and security, while deepening ties with the United States to shape a collective future.” His words carried urgency as European leaders grapple with the possibility of waning US military backing, prompting calls for the continent to shoulder more responsibility.
A significant highlight was the signing of a £2.26 billion loan agreement between UK Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Ukraine’s Finance Minister Sergii Marchenko. Funded by profits from frozen Russian assets in the EU, the loan aims to strengthen Ukraine’s armed forces at a pivotal moment. “This is about putting Ukraine in the strongest position possible,” Reeves noted, tying the funding to Britain’s recent pledge to boost defense spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027.