UK and European Leaders Team Up to Create Ukraine Peace Plan for the US
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, along with other European leaders, has announced plans to draft a peace proposal for Ukraine to present to the United States.
According to Reuters, this move is crucial to securing U.S. support for Ukraine, which Kyiv says is essential to deter Russian aggression.
The decision came during a summit in London, where leaders showed strong support for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.
This meeting followed a tense clash between Zelenskiy and U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington, which raised concerns about the future of U.S. backing for Ukraine.
As Reuters reports, European leaders agreed to increase defence spending to demonstrate their commitment to protecting the continent. This step is seen as vital to convincing Trump that Europe is serious about its role in maintaining peace and security. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen even suggested easing EU debt rules to allow countries to spend more on defence.
Starmer emphasized the urgency of the situation, saying, “This is not a moment for more talk. It’s time to act.” He revealed that Britain, Ukraine, France, and other nations would form a “coalition of the willing” to create a peace plan to present to Trump. While he didn’t name all the countries involved, he noted that more are willing to join the effort.
Zelenskiy praised the unity among European leaders, calling it “at an extremely high level not seen for a long time.” He also stressed the importance of working with the U.S. to achieve lasting peace and security for Ukraine.
The push for a peace plan comes as Europe tries to ensure Ukraine isn’t left out of future negotiations. Trump’s recent actions, including direct talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, have raised fears that the U.S. might withdraw support for Ukraine. European leaders hope that by increasing defence spending and taking on more responsibility, they can persuade Trump to back a peace deal.
Reuters highlights that European nations lack the military resources of the U.S., making American support crucial. Talks with the U.S. have focused on Washington providing a “backstop” for European peacekeeping efforts, such as air cover and intelligence support.
In a show of solidarity, Zelenskiy met with King Charles at his private residence in England after the summit. Meanwhile, Trump’s administration continued to criticize Zelenskiy, with White House officials questioning his willingness to secure peace with Russia.
In summary, Reuters reports that European leaders are stepping up their efforts to support Ukraine and are working to bring the U.S. on board for a lasting peace plan.
Source: Reuters
https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/uks-starmer-tries-revive-hope-ukraine-peace-summit-2025-03-01