Western leaders meet in London to push for Ukraine peace plan
Western leaders, including more than a dozen European heads of state and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, gathered in London on Sunday for a high-level defence summit aimed at advancing a peace plan for Ukraine following a week of intense diplomatic negotiations.
Hosted by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the summit focused on strengthening Ukraine’s position through continued military support and increasing economic pressure on Russia. Discussions also covered the need for “a strong, lasting deal that delivers a permanent peace in Ukraine and ensures that Ukraine can deter and defend against future Russian attacks.”
Leaders push for European security guarantees
The summit brought together leaders from Ukraine, France, Germany, Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain, Canada, Finland, Sweden, Czechia, and Romania. Key international figures, including NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, European Council President Charles Michel, and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, also participated.
According to Xinhua, leaders are expected to outline the next steps for strengthening European security guarantees, particularly amid uncertainties over future U.S. support.
“In partnership with our allies, we must intensify our preparations for the European element of security guarantees, alongside continued discussions with the U.S.,” Starmer said ahead of the summit, stressing that the war has reached “a turning point.”
Diplomatic tensions after Trump-Zelensky fallout
The summit followed a tense meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House, which resulted in the cancellation of a much-anticipated raw materials agreement between the two nations.
On Saturday, Zelensky met with Starmer at 10 Downing Street, where the British Prime Minister reaffirmed the UK’s “unwavering determination” to secure lasting peace in Ukraine. Following the meeting, Ukrainian Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko announced that Britain had agreed to provide a £2.26 billion ($2.84 billion) loan to support Ukraine’s defence capabilities.
Concerns over Trump’s approach to Ukraine war
European leaders are increasingly anxious as Trump initiates direct peace talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, whom most Western leaders have isolated since Russia invaded Ukraine three years ago.
The shift in U.S. diplomacy has raised concerns in Europe, particularly after Trump called Zelensky a dictator and falsely claimed that Ukraine started the war. The move has led European nations to scramble for ways to maintain their influence in the ongoing peace process and ensure their interests remain protected.
As Western leaders continue to push for a unified strategy, the London summit marks a critical moment in shaping the next phase of the Ukraine conflict and Europe’s role in securing peace.
