After the fateful meeting on Ukraine: "Historic crossroads"
TT
Updated 18.58 | Published 07.35
A plan for lasting peace in Ukraine was the focus of Sunday's fateful summit in London.
Afterwards, the message is that strong European armament and security guarantees for Ukraine are needed.
- We stand today at a historic crossroads, says Keir Starmer, British Prime Minister.
Everything is now about giving Ukraine a position of strength, according to EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
- Ukraine must be given the resources to be able to equip and protect itself, from economic survival to military endurance. We must turn Ukraine into a porcupine, inedible for the invader, she says.
– We need comprehensive security guarantees for Ukraine.
The summit was convened by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. He said at a press conference afterwards that it is now a matter of strengthening “our contacts with the United States”.
– Europe must do the heavy lifting, but we must have the support of the United States, he said.
“Time for action”
Starmer said that the leaders had agreed to continue military assistance to Ukraine while increasing economic pressure on Russia.
There are plans for a coalition of countries, led by Britain, to push for and guarantee a just peace for Ukraine.
– We will develop a coalition of those who are willing to defend an agreement for Ukraine and guarantee peace, says Starmer.
Keir Starmer calls it a historic crossroads.
– This is not a time for more talk. Now is the time for action.
Reinforcement and guarantees
Ursula von der Leyen stresses that we now “must immediately re-equip Europe”. The European Commission will propose a plan for this at the EU summit on 6 March.
– We really need to increase significantly.
NATO chief Mark Rutte is also pressing that Europe must ensure that Ukraine has what it needs and provide security guarantees.
The aim is to ensure that Russian President Vladimir Putin “never, ever, tries to attack Ukraine again”.
“Crucial for security”
When the meeting began inside Lancaster House in London, a stone’s throw from Buckingham Palace, Starmer spoke of it as a moment for the security of all of Europe that occurs “only once in a generation”.
– A good result for Ukraine is not just about right or wrong. It is crucial for the security of every country and many others, Starmer said.
The meeting was attended by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and 16 other leaders from Europe – including Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson – as well as Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
The summit comes against the backdrop of Zelensky’s dramatic meeting with US President Donald Trump on Friday, which ended in a heated exchange of words.
FACTS
On site in London
The following leaders will attend Sunday's summit in London
* UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer
* Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky
* French President Emmanuel Macron
* German Chancellor Olaf Scholz
* Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk
* Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni
* Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez
* Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala
* Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof
* Finnish President Alexander Stubb
* Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen
* Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre
* Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson
* Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan
* Romanian Acting President Ilie Bolojan
* Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
* European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen
* EU Council President António Costa
* NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte
FACTS
Starmer's four points
After the summit, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer highlighted four crucial points in the continued efforts to reach peace in Ukraine:
Continued military support for Ukraine as long as the war continues, and further pressure on the Russian economy.
A peace must include Ukraine's sovereignty and security, and Ukraine must be included in any peace negotiations.
In the event of a possible peace, European leaders agree on the goal of preventing any future attempts by Russia to invade Ukraine again.
A "coalition of the willing" countries will be created to guarantee peace in Ukraine.
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RIGHT NOW: Forming coalition to defend Ukraine
Keir Starmer
Starmer: Will present a peace plan
Olivia Birgander
Updated 18.45 | Published 18.19
The UK will present a peace plan to the White House together with France.
He stated this at a press conference after today's summit.
- The starting point must be to put Ukraine in as strong a negotiating position as possible.
The goal of today's summit, where Starmer gathered many of Europe's leaders, was to unite everyone behind a peace plan for Ukraine.
Together with France, the UK will develop a peace plan to end the war in Ukraine. But more countries can also be part of a coalition to develop it.
- A number of countries have said today that they want to be part of the plan that we are developing.
He does not say which countries are involved, but emphasizes that it is important to ensure that Ukraine has a strong negotiating position.
– We will take the proposal to the White House, he says.
He says that they have agreed on several points, including that Ukraine must be included at the negotiating table.
Starmer has also stated that he will form a coalition with the countries that want to be included to try to secure peace in Ukraine.
During question time
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