London, March 3, 2025:
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced the formation of a “Coalition of the Willing” to strengthen Ukraine’s security. The UK, France, and other countries will enhance their efforts to support Ukraine and aim to involve the United States in this initiative.
Following a summit of 18 leaders in London, Starmer stated, “We are at a historic crossroads.” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and other European leaders attended the summit. Zelensky expressed feeling “strong support” and highlighted the unprecedented European unity.
Four-Point Plan for Ukraine’s Protection
Starmer outlined a four-point plan focused on:
- Continuing military support for Ukraine and increasing economic pressure on Russia.
- Ensuring Ukraine’s sovereignty in any peace agreement and involving Ukraine in negotiations.
- Strengthening Ukraine’s defense capabilities to deter future aggression.
- Establishing a coalition to secure Ukraine’s safety and maintain lasting peace.
He also announced an additional $2 billion in aid to purchase 5,000 air defense missiles. Previously, the UK had pledged £2.2 billion in military support from profits of seized Russian assets.
Commitment to a Strong Peace Agreement
Starmer emphasized avoiding a weak agreement that Russia could easily violate. Instead, the deal must be robust and enforceable. He did not specify which countries agreed to join the coalition but assured that those who committed would act urgently.
Participating Countries
The summit included leaders from France, Poland, Sweden, Turkey, Norway, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Romania, Finland, Italy, Spain, and Canada.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stressed the need to rearm Europe and ensure continued support for Ukraine.
Looking Ahead
Following the summit, Zelensky met with King Charles III and expressed readiness to sign a mineral agreement with the United States. However, the U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Basent previously stated that no such deal could proceed without a peace agreement with Russia.