Starmer: Europe must lead, but U.S. support essential for Ukraine peace

Reaffirming the UK's commitment, Starmer said the country will contribute "boots on the ground" and "planes in the air" as part of an international coalition.

Speaking after the European leaders' summit in London, Starmer outlined four key steps agreed upon by leaders:

1. Continue providing military aid to Ukraine and ramp up economic pressure on Russia.
2. Ensure Ukraine's sovereignty and security in any lasting peace deal, with Ukraine firmly at the negotiating table.
3. Work to deter future Russian invasions if a peace deal is reached.
4. Establish a "coalition of the willing" to defend Ukraine and guarantee peace.

Starmer emphasized that all nations must contribute in the best way they can, stepping up their efforts to support Ukraine.

In addition, Starmer acknowledged that while Russia must be involved in peace negotiations, it cannot dictate the terms of security guarantees. He pointed out that previous ceasefires, which lacked proper backing, were breached by Russia, underscoring the need for stronger assurances in any future agreement.

On the matter of the U.S.’s reliability as an ally, Starmer rejected claims that the U.S. is becoming unreliable. When asked about the recent clash between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House, Starmer stated, "I do not accept that the U.S. is an unreliable ally," emphasizing that the U.S. has been a partner for many decades and continues to play a vital role in global security and supporting Ukraine.

Starmer also revealed that a "number of countries" have expressed interest in joining the peace plan for Ukraine. "A number of countries have indicated today that they want to be part of the plan we are developing," he said, adding that these countries will make their own statements about their contributions. He reiterated the UK’s role, stating that the country must "step up and lead," as it has historically done in global peace efforts.