UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Sunday warned that European security faced a once-in-a-generation moment as he hosted crisis talks in London on the Russian invasion of Ukraine, just days after a Kyiv-Washington clash.
Eighteen allies were gathered on the key question of security guarantees for Ukraine, all the more pressing after US President Donald Trump berated his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky in an unprecedented White House blow-up.
Sitting next to Zelensky in front of the flags of Ukraine and European nations, summit host Starmer said it was “a once-in-a-generation moment for the security of Europe, and we all need to step up”.
“I hope you know that we are all with you and the people of Ukraine for as long as it takes. Everyone around this table,” he told the Ukrainian leader.
Zelensky was embraced by some of the 18 other top leaders, including Starmer, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Nato chief Mark Rutte, while protesters rallied outside the UK leader’s home in support of Ukraine.
It was a stark contrast to Zelensky’s unusually heated Friday meeting with Trump in Washington, where he was berated by the American leader and accused of not being “ready” for peace with Russia.
Trump and his Vice President JD Vance angrily accused Zelensky of not being “thankful” and refusing to accept their proposed truce terms.
Their argument, played out in front of the world’s news cameras, raised fears that Trump wants to force Kyiv into a peace deal, giving Russian President Vladimir Putin what he wants while leaving Ukraine broken and insecure.
Avoid dividing West
Speaking ahead of the summit in London, Starmer said “nobody wants to see” scenes like Zelensky and Trump’s Oval Office clash.
“We have to find a way that we can all work together. Because, in the end, we’ve had three years of bloody conflict. Now we need to get to that lasting peace,” Starmer said.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni echoed the sentiment, saying as she met Starmer in his Downing Street home that it was “very, very important that we avoid the risk that the West divides”.
Ukraine’s allies have been underscoring their steadfast commitment to counter growing concerns that Trump is about to sell Kyiv short in negotiations with Russia.
The London meeting brings together leaders from around continental Europe, including France, Germany, Denmark, and Italy as well as Turkey, Nato, and the European Union.
