Starmer and European leaders to discuss support for Ukraine and possible peace deal at London summit

Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Keir Starmer during a meeting in London, 1 March 2025, photo: dw.com

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and other Western leaders in London on 2 March.

According to Reuters, the main topic will be further support for Kyiv and the prospects for a peaceful settlement of the war.

After former US President Donald Trump threatened to cut off aid to Ukraine on 28 February and accused Zelenskyy of alleged ingratitude, the Ukrainian leader was warmly received in London. At the summit, European countries are expected to reaffirm their readiness to support Ukraine, considering taking the lead in supplying weapons and financial assistance.

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Western media report that Germany has offered to provide 3 billion euros to Ukraine. Keir Starmer calls on the allies to redouble their efforts to provide military support to Kyiv and at the same time intensify dialogue on a potential peace agreement. One of the summit's objectives will also be to convince the United States of the importance of continuing to help Ukraine.

It is noted that Keir Starmer will open the summit with a meeting with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Later, French President Emmanuel Macron, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, new NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, as well as the leaders of Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain, Canada, Finland, Sweden, the Czech Republic and Romania will join the talks. The Turkish Foreign Minister will also attend the summit.

Keir Starmer wants the UK to act as a bridge between Europe and the US, helping to agree on a common approach to supporting Ukraine. The London summit, as well as an extraordinary EU meeting in Brussels next week, could be decisive in terms of further arms supplies and financial assistance to Kyiv.

In addition, the possibility of an emergency summit with the United States and its allies is being discussed to discuss ways to resolve the conflict and guarantee Ukraine's security in the long term.

It should be noted that European leaders will continue to insist on the need for peaceful negotiations, strengthening Ukraine's defence capabilities and creating mechanisms to prevent new Russian aggression. At the same time, the allies will try to persuade the United States not to stop its military support for Kyiv, particularly in the areas of air defence, intelligence and surveillance. The upcoming meetings will be crucial for determining the future strategy of the West towards Ukraine.

As a reminder, before the talks with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Saturday evening, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer assured that the UK would continue to support Ukraine «for as long as necessary».