UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced that the UK and France will work with Ukraine to develop a peace plan to end the war with Russia, which will then be presented to US President Donald Trump for discussion. Starmer made the remarks during a summit of European leaders in London, attended by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, just two days after a heated exchange between Zelensky and Trump in the White House.
Starmer described his role as a “bridge” between Trump and Zelensky, emphasizing the need for unity to achieve lasting peace. He downplayed the recent tensions, stating, “Nobody wants to see that,” and revealed he had spoken to both leaders immediately after the incident to refocus efforts on peace.
The prime minister stressed the importance of European leadership in securing a peace deal, calling for a “coalition of the willing” to provide a security guarantee for Ukraine. He acknowledged that Europe must do more for its own defense and urged nations to increase defense spending and improve coordination.
Starmer also dismissed calls to cancel Trump’s upcoming state visit to the UK, arguing that the focus should remain on achieving peace in Europe. Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey supported this stance, suggesting the visit could be used to secure US commitments to Ukraine.
The summit highlighted the challenges of maintaining Western unity, with Starmer emphasizing that any peace deal must exclude Russian President Vladimir Putin from dictating terms. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who also attended the summit, echoed the need for a “just and lasting peace” and warned against divisions within the West.
As the UK and France take the lead in shaping the peace plan, the path to ending the conflict remains complex, requiring sustained diplomacy and international cooperation.
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