Prime Minister Keir Starmer hosts a European Leaders Summit at Lancaster House in London on March 2, 2025. Picture by Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Street.
London: Europe and Canada agreed at a summit today that they will work with Ukraine on a plan to stop the fighting, which they will discuss further with the United States and “take forward together”.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer convened the summit in London with nearly 20 allied nations to establish a coalition dedicated to formulating a peace strategy for Ukraine. The nations also included Türkiye, besides the NATO Secretary General and the Presidents of the European Union (EU) Commission, EU Council and Canada. Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was also present at the summit. “
Europe’s security is our responsibility above all. We will step up to this historic task and increase our investment in our own defence,” Starmer, who chaired the meeting, stated.
The talks centred on enhancing military support, which included the possibility of deploying ground troops to deter further Russian aggression and promote stability. Additionally, European leaders highlighted the necessity of coordinating their strategies with the United States to ensure ongoing Western military assistance and to maintain a cohesive stance in negotiations.
“Together, we reaffirmed our determination to work for a permanent peace in Ukraine, in partnership with the United States,” Starmer stated. “We must not repeat the mistakes of the past when weak deals allowed [Russian President Vladimir] Putin to invade again. We will work with [the US] President [Donald] Trump to ensure a strong, just, and lasting peace that ensures Ukraine’s future sovereignty and security,” he asserted. He added, “In addition, many of us expressed readiness to contribute to Ukraine’s security, including through a force consisting of European and other partners, and will intensify our planning.”
As European leaders committed to bolstering support for Ukraine, in a significant statement, Starmer emphasized that “we are at a crossroads in history,” revealing plans for a “coalition of the willing” among European nations to stand firm against Russian aggression. He declared that the UK, France and others will work with Ukraine on a plan to stop the fighting, “which we will discuss further with the US and take forward together”.
Starmer highlighted that multiple nations have shown interest in collaborating with the UK and France, with the possibility of deploying troops to Ukraine if a cease-fire is reached between Kyiv and Moscow. He also introduced a plan to provide Ukraine with access to £1.6 billion in British export financing, which would be used to acquire over 5,000 air defense missiles.
The urgency of this meeting was heightened by Zelenskyy’s critical talks with President Trump and Vice President JD Vance in the Oval Office on Friday, raising alarms that the U.S. might exert pressure on Ukraine to reach a peace deal. In response to Russia’s actions, the European Union has implemented sweeping sanctions targeting individuals and entities that jeopardize Ukraine’s territorial integrity. These sanctions aim to cut off Russia’s access to EU capital and financial markets, thereby constraining its ability to finance aggressive actions.
It was also unanimously recognized that Ukraine needs to establish strong security measures before any future peace agreement is reached, to prevent further invasions by Russia. “We are committed to expediting the enhancement of Ukraine’s military capabilities and border defenses following any agreement, ensuring that the nation has access to the necessary munitions, financial resources, and equipment for its self-defense,” Starmer said.
Moreover, many participants expressed their willingness to support Ukraine’s security, potentially through a coalition of European nations and other allies, and we will ramp up our strategic planning efforts.
“We will continue to work closely together to drive forward next steps, and will take decisions in the coming weeks,” Starmer said.
Public sentiment across Europe has largely supported the idea of increasing military aid and supplies to Ukraine, reflecting a collective commitment to the nation’s defense. Looking ahead, the EU remains steadfast in its support for Ukraine, reaffirming its dedication to assist until a just and lasting peace is achieved. Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Europe has consistently backed Ukraine with significant financial support, military aid, humanitarian assistance, and strategic efforts to uphold its sovereignty and promote its integration into Europe.
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Since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Europe has demonstrated unwavering support for Ukraine through a robust mix of financial assistance, military aid, humanitarian relief, and strategic initiatives aimed at preserving Ukraine’s sovereignty and fostering its integration into European structures.
The European Union (EU) has taken a leading role in extending financial assistance to Ukraine, particularly with the launch of the Ukraine Facility in 2024. This specialized financial mechanism aims to provide up to €50 billion in consistent and adaptable support from 2024 through 2027. By March 2025, €16.4 billion had already been allocated from this fund. In total, from 2022 to 2024, European nations have collectively offered around €118.2 billion in various forms of aid to Ukraine, which includes economic, military, and humanitarian support.
In terms of military assistance, European nations have made significant strides in enhancing Ukraine’s defense capabilities. The United Kingdom and France have spearheaded efforts to create a “coalition of the willing,” pledging £1.6 billion (approximately $2 billion) in military supplies, which includes 5,000 air defense missiles. This initiative highlights Europe’s commitment to countering Russian aggression and fostering stability in the region. Furthermore, the EU has been proactive in delivering humanitarian aid to ease the hardships faced by the Ukrainian populace. This support encompasses €500 million in humanitarian assistance announced in March 2022, the allocation of 10,000 hospital beds across EU member states for Ukrainian patients, and the evacuation of over 1,000 civilians for medical care within the EU. Additionally, the EU has played a crucial role in accommodating around 5 million Ukrainian refugees under the Temporary Protection Directive.
– global bihari bureau
