The world stands at a “turning point” in the battle to save Ukraine, the Prime Minister has declared as he welcomes Volodymyr Zelensky and leaders from across Europe to London for an emergency summit. Sir Keir Starmer called for unity in solidarity with the embattled nation as he scrambles to stop support for Ukraine collapsing in the wake of President Trump’s White House row with President Zelensky.
The Ukrainian leader is expected to meet the King at Sandringham today in the latest sign of the bond between the two countries. The PM – who hugged Mr Zelensky as he welcomed him to Downing Street yesterday evening – told him he has the “full backing across the United Kingdom” and that Britain stands with Ukraine “for as long as it may take”. Sir Keir declared in a statement: “Three years on from Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine, we are at a turning point. Today I will reaffirm my unwavering support for Ukraine and double down on my commitment to provide capacity, training and aid to Ukraine, putting it in the strongest possible position.”
The leaders of allies including France, Germany, Italy, Turkey and Canada will join Sir Keir and Mr Zelensky in Lancaster House today as the conflict enters a critical stage.
Downing Street is adamant there must be “no negotiations about Ukraine without Ukraine” – and that any deal must deliver a “permanent peace” which ensures the country can defend itself against any future Russian attack.
Sir Keir – who last week announced UK defence spending will rise to 2.5%% of GDP by 2027 – will press European leaders to also “step up”.
He said: “In partnership with our allies, we must intensify our preparations for the European element of security guarantees alongside continued discussions with the United States.
“We have an opportunity to come together to ensure a just and lasting peace in Ukraine that secures their sovereignty and security.
“Now is the time for us to unite in order to guarantee the best outcome for Ukraine, protect European security, and secure our collective future.”
Mr Zelensky sought to prevent a rupture in American-Ukrainian relations after his stormy encounter with the US President and Vice President JD Vance at the White House on Friday.
He said in a social media post: “American people helped save our people. We’re truly thankful.
“We want only strong relations with America, and I really hope we will have them.”
When he met Sir Keir yesterday, Mr Zelensky told him that “we count on your support”. He said he was “really, really, really happy that we have such partners and such friends”.
Former defence minister Tobias Ellwood was in no doubt about the damage caused by the public row, describing it as a “bad day for America and Europe” and a “good day for Russia”.
He said: “We must prepare for America to dial back its security interests in Europe.”
Fearing that a “wider conflict with Russia now looms,” he said this was a “huge opportunity for Britain to once again step forward and lead efforts to bolster Europe’s defence architecture”.
Former Conservative leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith warned: “The important thing is that the US and Europe do not now get divided.”
He said the leaders of China and Iran want to see “NATO emasculated,” adding: “I think Keir Starmer has a huge role to play here because the UK has historically been the glue that’s bound NATO together.”
Former Defence Secretary Penny Mordaunt pressed for an “emergency” programme to strengthen Europe’s defences.
She said: “If we want to give a fair peace the best chance then we need to strengthen President Zelensky’s hand and our own. That requires a commitment to rebuild our collective hard power.
“We need an emergency defence preparation programme to plug the gaps in our capabilities.”
One EU diplomat last night said European leaders at the Lancaster House summit will listen to what “Starmer and Macron can tell them about their meeting with Trump that they could not disclose publicly”.
The diplomat added: “One thing that I am confident will be discussed is the possibility of Europe offering a way to back any peace deal with a hard security guarantee to ensure Putin keeps his word.”
European forces are capable of deterring Putin, according to Justin Crump, of the Sibylline strategic risk group.
He said: “Europe’s Nato forces are more than a match for Russia, as long as there is the political unity to unite them. Things like imposing a no fly zone would be an excellent beginning, and an efficient way of signalling to Putin that Europe is serious.”
Keir Giles, of the Chatham House think tank, insisted any peace deal needs to be backed up with security guarantees.
He said: “It’s not a concern that Putin won’t honour a peace deal – it is a certainty. It is clear that a ceasefire is not a solution because it simply allows Russia to rebuild his forces ready for the next push, which will inevitably come.”
NATO secretary general Mark Rutte said he urged Mr Zelensky to repair his relationship with President Trump, saying: “I said, ‘I think you have to find a way, dear Volodymyr, to restore your relationship with Donald Trump and the American administration’.”
MPs from across the political divide are calling on European states to seize frozen Russian assets – which could be worth £240billion – and use these to rebuild Ukraine.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch, when asked about the argument in the White House, said it was “important to remember the situation that President Zelensky is in,” adding: “Let’s do concrete things right now that are going to help Ukraine rather than criticising them for whether or not they said thank you or not.”
Liberal Democrats leader Sir Ed Davey called for Mr Zelensky to address Parliament on Monday.
He said: “I’m proud that the UK has been Ukraine’s staunchest ally from the start. We mustn’t falter in the face of Trump’s bullying now.”
A spokeswoman for the Speaker’s Office said: “Any formal request would be considered in the usual way.”
The Ukrainian leader addressed both Houses in Westminster Hall during a previous visit in February 2023, which was an honour rarely afforded to world leaders.
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