Keir Starmer has warned that Europe stands “at a crossroads in history” and must take decisive action to support Ukraine in securing lasting peace. He confirmed that the UK and France would lead a “coalition of the willing” to help end the conflict.

Following a key defence summit in London, Starmer stressed that any long-term ceasefire plan must be coordinated with the US to deter Russia, as he worked to mend strained relations between Kyiv and Washington.

He announced a deal allowing Ukraine to access £1.6bn in export finance to purchase over 5,000 air defence missiles from Thales in Belfast, boosting both Ukraine’s defence and UK job creation.

The prime minister engaged in 48 hours of intense diplomacy after the tense White House meeting on Friday, where Volodymyr Zelenskyy was publicly rebuked by Donald Trump and his deputy, JD Vance.

The defence summit, attended by key European nations and Canada, aimed to forge a united European stance on Ukraine amid shifting transatlantic dynamics. However, the diplomatic fallout from the White House meeting added urgency to the discussions.

The summit took place at the grand Lancaster House, where pro-Ukrainian protesters gathered outside in support.

Speaking at a press conference afterward, Keir Starmer declared that Britain and its European allies were ready to deploy “boots on the ground and planes in the air” to strengthen deterrence against Russia.

“It’s time to step up, lead, and unite behind a new plan for a just and lasting peace,” he said. “If you want to preserve peace, you must be prepared to defend it.”

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk described the meeting as “historic.” While Starmer was unable to secure firm commitments for additional military aid from other NATO countries, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen pledged to follow up on Thursday with her own initiative to “rearm Europe.”

“The goal is to turn Ukraine into a steel porcupine—impossible for any invader to swallow,” she explained.

French President Emmanuel Macron later told Le Figaro that he and Starmer had proposed a one-month ceasefire “in the air, at sea, and on energy infrastructure” to create space for de-escalation efforts in Russia’s ongoing war against Ukraine.

Macron clarified that the proposed truce would not apply to ground combat, acknowledging that enforcing a full ceasefire would be “very difficult” due to the vast frontline.

He also emphasized the need to ease EU fiscal restrictions, allowing nations to increase defence spending through “innovative” financing methods.

Starmer stressed that preventing Vladimir Putin from violating any ceasefire would require security guarantees from the US. Senior British officials highlighted the necessity of air, logistics, and intelligence support to uphold stability.

“For this effort to succeed, strong US backing is essential,” Starmer said. “We’re working closely with the US after my meeting with President Trump last week. Let me be clear—both of us agree on the urgent need for a lasting peace. Now, we must make it happen together.”

However, Trump has repeatedly resisted military commitments to Ukraine’s security. Instead, he has proposed an “economic backstop,” suggesting that US civilians working on a multibillion-dollar critical minerals deal in Ukraine would be a sufficient measure.

Some within the British government believe Ukraine could secure its own safety by initiating a ceasefire. Peter Mandelson, the UK ambassador to Washington, told ABC News’s This Week with George Stephanopoulos on Sunday: “Ukraine should take the first step towards a ceasefire and challenge Russia to do the same.”

Despite ongoing efforts to revive the minerals deal, British officials acknowledge the lack of White House interest in restarting negotiations with Zelenskyy. As a result, Downing Street has shifted its focus to strengthening Starmer’s “coalition of the willing.”

At the London summit, leaders reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining military aid to Ukraine, ensuring Kyiv remains well-equipped to deter future Russian aggression—even after any ceasefire agreement.

Meanwhile, other nations are planning to boost their defence budgets following Starmer’s pledge to raise UK military spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027, with a longer-term goal of reaching 3%.

“Any agreement must be backed by strength,” Starmer said. “Every nation must contribute in the way it can—offering different capabilities and support—but all must share the responsibility and step up to the challenge.”

Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that European leaders had agreed to intensify economic pressure on Russia.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves is set to finalize a £2.3bn loan agreement enabling Kyiv to purchase additional weapons, with repayments coming from profits generated by Russian sovereign assets currently under sanctions. Additionally, she plans to expand the scope of the £27.8bn national wealth fund, allowing its resources to be allocated to defence alongside infrastructure projects.

Following the summit, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized the urgent need for Europe to "rearm" and confirmed that a defence strategy would be proposed on Thursday. “We must prepare for the worst and are therefore strengthening our defences,” she stated.

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte reaffirmed that Europe is committed to ensuring Ukraine can continue defending itself. Discussions also covered potential security guarantees and the need for nations to follow the UK’s lead in increasing their defence budgets.

After the summit, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with King Charles at Sandringham—a meeting seen in Westminster as an effort to offer him similar diplomatic treatment to Donald Trump, who was recently invited for a second state visit to the UK by Starmer.

Reflecting on his meeting with Trump, Zelenskyy told LBC’s Andrew Marr that he regretted the public nature of their conversation. “I don’t think it was right to have such discussions fully open,” he said, warning that adversaries could exploit emotions or sensitive information revealed in the exchange.