European leaders are set to convene in London on Sunday for discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, following a tumultuous meeting at the White House that has aggravated the crisis in U.S.-Ukrainian relations. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer aims to “intensify his efforts in pursuit of a just and lasting peace in Ukraine” during the summit in the British capital, as stated by his office.
In an interview with BBC News on Sunday morning, Starmer mentioned that he had reached an agreement with former President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron for the United Kingdom and France to collaborate on a peace plan for Ukraine, which will subsequently be presented to the United States for discussion. The Prime Minister also noted that “one or two” additional countries might participate in the drafting of the plan “to halt the conflict.”
Zelenskyy arrived in the U.K. on Saturday after his trip to Washington, D.C., where a meeting in the Oval Office with Trump and Vice President JD Vance turned into a public dispute in front of reporters. Trump and Vance criticized Zelenskyy, wrongly claiming that Ukraine initiated the three-year conflict with Russia, which started when Russian forces invaded Ukraine in February 2022. The U.S. leaders also voiced their dissatisfaction regarding a proposed minerals extraction agreement and accused Kyiv of being reluctant to negotiate a peace deal with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
European leaders swiftly expressed their support for the Ukrainian president and his administration, with many emphasizing the necessity for Kyiv to maintain and mend its relations with the United States. “The prime minister has reaffirmed his steadfast commitment to Ukraine this weekend and is resolute in seeking a path that will bring an end to Russia’s unlawful aggression, ensuring a sustainable peace for Ukraine grounded in sovereignty and security,” stated an official release from Starmer’s office. On Friday evening, Starmer engaged in discussions with both Zelenskyy and Trump following the Ukrainian leader’s challenging visit to Washington, which concluded with the cancellation of a scheduled press conference and the Ukrainian delegation being requested to depart from the White House.
Leaders from Germany, France, Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain, Turkey, Finland, Sweden, Czechia, and Romania, along with the NATO secretary-general and the presidents of the European Commission and European Council, are anticipated to participate in the summit on Sunday.
The British leader statement highlighted several critical areas for discussion, including the enhancement of military assistance to Ukraine, the escalation of economic sanctions against Russia, and the necessity for a robust and enduring peace agreement that guarantees Ukraine’s ability to deter and defend against potential future Russian aggression. Additionally, there will be considerations for “strong security guarantees” from international partners. Starmer emphasized the importance of collaborating with allies to strengthen preparations for the European aspect of these security guarantees, while also maintaining ongoing dialogues with the United States. On Saturday, President Zelenskyy expressed his gratitude to Starmer for the “meaningful and warm” welcome he received in London. He also announced that Ukraine and the U.K. have formalized an agreement enabling Kyiv to access funds generated from Russian financial assets that have been frozen in the United Kingdom.
I express my gratitude to the people and government of the United Kingdom for their exceptional support since the onset of this conflict, as stated by Zelenskyy on social media. “We are pleased to have such strategic allies and to align our vision for a secure future for everyone.” Zelenskyy is scheduled to meet with King Charles III on Sunday.