UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer is spearheading a critical summit that aims to forge a lasting peace in Ukraine amidst ongoing conflict with Russia. The summit, which gathers leaders from Germany, France, Denmark, Italy, Turkey, NATO, and the European Union, emphasizes the necessity of a united front in support of Ukraine. Starmer asserts that a robust Ukraine is vital for achieving enduring peace and insists that the nation must be positioned strongly to negotiate security guarantees.
The meeting comes at a pivotal moment as the war in Ukraine shows no signs of abating. Starmer has voiced concerns about the potential for a temporary cessation of hostilities that could be followed by renewed Russian aggression. He believes that any future agreement must be defensible to avoid the worst-case scenario where fighting resumes after a brief lull.
“The worst of all outcomes is that there is a temporary pause, and then Putin comes again,” Starmer stated, highlighting the urgency of the discussions. The summit aims to establish a framework for a "lasting peace" that includes not only European security guarantees but also a significant US backstop.
Starmer's commitment to Ukraine is further evidenced by plans for increased defense spending in the UK. He proposes raising defense expenditures to 3% of GDP in the next parliamentary session, contingent upon the Labour Party securing victory in the upcoming general election. This move aligns with recent calls from Kemi Badenoch, leader of the Conservative Party, who has also advocated for heightened defense spending among NATO allies.
The UK government is taking concrete steps to bolster Ukraine's military capabilities as well. Chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to sign a £2.3 billion loan deal that will enable Kyiv to acquire additional weaponry. This financial assistance will be repaid through profits generated from Russian sovereign assets currently under sanctions.
Starmer emphasized the importance of self-reliance while underscoring that it does not equate to isolation. “Being self-reliant does not mean being alone,” he remarked, articulating his vision for increased defense spending as an insurance policy against future threats.
European unity appears to be a key theme of the summit. Former EU leader Donald Tusk reaffirmed Poland's unwavering support for Ukraine, stating unequivocally, “Poland is on the side of Ukraine, without any buts.” He called for efforts to “bridge” existing tensions among European nations to maintain focus on supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression.
Starmer's strategy hinges on three critical components: a strong Ukraine capable of negotiating from a position of strength, European security guarantees, and effective backing from the United States. “For me, the components of a lasting peace are a strong Ukraine to fight on, if necessary, to be in a position of strength; to negotiate a European element to security guarantees, and that’s why I’ve been forward-leaning on this about what we would do,” he explained.
As discussions proceed, leaders at the summit are working diligently to outline specific actions and commitments that will solidify support for Ukraine. They share a collective understanding that Ukrainian sovereignty and autonomy must be respected in any negotiations. Badenoch added, “We need to make sure that president Zelenskyy feels that he has autonomy. They are a sovereign country and the principles that we are defending are the freedom of Ukraine and sovereignty.”