European powers must realise it is “time to act” as they stand at a “crossroads in history”, Keir Starmer has said following a defence summit on Ukraine.
The British prime minister unveiled a four-step plan discussed by leaders at Sunday’s Lancaster House meeting, including a pledge to “develop a coalition of the willing” to defend a deal in Ukraine and guarantee a peace settlement.
Addressing journalists after the summit, Mr Starmer announced a £1.6 billion (€1.9 billion) finance deal which will allow Ukraine to buy more than 5,000 missiles, following the gathering at Lancaster House.
Mr Keir told the press conference that “every nation must contribute” in the best way it can and a number of “important steps” were agreed.
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He said: “First, we will keep the military aid flowing and keep increasing the economic pressure on Russia to strengthen Ukraine now.
“Second, we agreed that any lasting peace must ensure Ukraine’s sovereignty and security, and Ukraine must be at the table.
“Third, in the event of a peace deal, we will keep boosting Ukraine’s own defensive capabilities to deter any future invasion.
“Fourth, we will go further to develop a coalition of the willing to defend a deal in Ukraine and to guarantee the peace.
“Not every nation will feel able to contribute but that can’t mean that we sit back. Instead, those willing will intensify planning now with real urgency. The UK is prepared to back this with boots on the ground and planes in the air, together with others. Europe must do the heavy lifting.”
[ The Irish Times view on the London summit: a crossroads for postwar EuropeOpens in new window ]
Among the attendees at the summit were Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskiy – who afterwards flew to Sandringham to meet the King Charles – and French president Emmanuel Macron, who both met US president Donald Trump at the White House this week.
Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez were also seated around the table of 19 leaders at the gathering in central London.
Mr Keir said that leaders had agreed to “meet again very soon” to keep up work on the plans.
“We are at a crossroads in history today,” he said.
“This is not a moment for more talk. It’s time to act. Time to step up and lead, and to unite, around a new plan for a just and enduring peace.”
The summit comes after leaders had rallied round Mr Zelenskiy following his confrontation with Mr Trump in the Oval Office on Friday.
The prime minister said that he does not accept the US is an “unreliable ally”.
He told the press conference that “the US has been a reliable ally to the UK for many, many decades, and continues to be”.
He added: “There are no two countries as closely aligned as our two countries and our defence, our security and intelligence is intertwined in a way no two other countries are, so it’s an important and reliable ally for us.”
Mr Zelenskiy flew straight after the summit in a military helicopter to the king’s Sandringham estate in Norfolk, landing at about 5.25pm.
Local people, some holding Ukraine flags, gathered outside the estate to try to witness the president’s arrival in Norfolk for his meeting with the king.
The meeting took place in the Saloon at Sandringham House, and a helicopter could be seen departing the estate at 6.35pm.
While Mr Trump’s US administration is responsible for brokering peace talks with Russia, Mr Keir believes European powers must play a part in enforcing any deal.
He has sought a security guarantee from America, aimed at deterring Russian president Vladimir Putin from breaking a future peace agreement.
Donald Trump suggested he was not minded to support such a proposal, claiming the British “can take care of themselves” when asked about backing up peacekeeping efforts.
Mr Keir said a US backstop is subject to “intense” negotiations. – PA
