The West faces a “crossroads in history,” British Prime Minister Keir Starmer declared at a crucial summit in London on Sunday. The gathering aimed to shift control of negotiations over the Russia-Ukraine war away from the United States and establish a unified European approach, particularly as tensions between Kyiv and Washington reached a breaking point.
“This is not a moment for more talk. It’s time to act,” Starmer emphasized after an intense day of diplomacy in London, where European leaders worked to pave the way for a ceasefire in Ukraine.
The urgency of the meeting, held at Lancaster House, escalated after U.S. President Donald Trump criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office. The encounter alarmed Western allies while seemingly benefiting Moscow. Zelensky and numerous European leaders attended the summit, a critical moment given the heightened anxieties surrounding the conflict.
Starmer revealed that he was collaborating with France and a select group of nations to develop a proposal to halt the hostilities, which would then be presented to the United States.
French President Emmanuel Macron outlined the framework of this initiative in an interview with Le Figaro, stating that France and the UK had suggested a one-month limited ceasefire in Ukraine.
The initial phase of this Franco-British alternative peace plan would enforce a temporary truce covering air, sea, and energy infrastructures, Macron explained to the French publication. The next stage, he added, would address ground forces. CNN sought comments from Downing Street regarding the proposal.
This initiative appears to rival the negotiation process Trump’s administration launched with Russia the previous month. It also acknowledges the possibility that direct negotiations between Trump and Zelensky could reignite tensions rather than resolve them.
Nevertheless, securing American backing remains essential. During a Sunday press conference, Starmer reinforced this notion, stressing that the U.S. was “not an unreliable ally.” His reassurance came after Trump’s heated dispute with Zelensky deeply unsettled European leaders.
Sunday’s summit aimed to reignite momentum in peace efforts that had been making progress throughout the week, only to collapse after Friday’s confrontation. The meeting underscored European unity, as multiple leaders pushed back against the perception that the continent was merely a spectator in the ongoing negotiations.
“In the end, a deal will have to involve Russia, of course it will, but we can’t approach this on the basis that Russia dictates the terms of any security guarantee before we’ve even got to a deal – otherwise, we won’t make any progress at all,” Starmer asserted.
The UK and France have been working to assemble a “coalition of the willing” that would deploy to Ukraine once an agreement is secured. “If a deal is done, it has to be a deal that is then defended,” Starmer said.
Zelensky commended the summit on social media platform X, stating, “Europe’s unity is at an exceptionally high level, one that has not been seen in a long time.” Separately, he asserted that any potential peace agreement should begin with a prisoner exchange “and the return of children.” This step, he argued, would “demonstrate Russia’s true intention for peace.”
Macron highlighted the advantages of the Franco-British ceasefire proposal, noting its straightforward monitoring process. “We know how to measure it,” he stated. “In the event of a ceasefire, it would be very difficult to verify that the front is respected.”
Macron, who Le Figaro reported had spoken with Trump on Friday, clarified that “no European troops” would be deployed to Ukraine “in the coming weeks.” The French newspaper also reported that Macron remained skeptical about any ceasefire agreement negotiated solely between the U.S. and Russia, arguing that he was “convinced that Vladimir Putin will seek to humiliate Ukraine.”
When asked whether he was aware of the proposal, Zelensky responded that he was “aware of everything” but did not explicitly state whether he supported the ceasefire plan.
‘Nobody Wants to See That’
Zelensky received a warm reception from Starmer on Saturday, a stark contrast to the tense welcome he experienced at the White House. Additionally, King Charles met with the Ukrainian leader at his Sandringham estate on Sunday.
The earlier confrontation between Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance, and Zelensky, where they accused him of being ungrateful for American military aid and of risking “World War III” by resisting Russia’s invasion, cast a shadow over the weekend’s diplomatic efforts.
The episode encapsulated Europe’s worst fears. “Nobody wants to see that,” Starmer remarked to the BBC on Sunday. He disclosed that he immediately began reaching out to leaders after witnessing the heated exchange, adding, “My driving purpose has been to bridge this.”
Zelensky returned to Kyiv with more than just diplomatic assurances. On Saturday, Britain announced a plan to expedite$2.8 billion in loans to Ukraine. According to the UK government, the first installment of the funding would be released the following week.
In a Telegram post on Saturday, Zelensky stated, “The money will go toward the production of weapons in Ukraine. This is the fair way: the one who started the war should pay.” He further noted that “the loan will strengthen our defense capabilities.”
On Sunday, Starmer introduced another agreement permitting Ukraine to use £1.6 billion ($2 billion) in UK export finance to procure more than 5,000 advanced air defense missiles, which would be manufactured in Belfast.
‘A Once-in-a-Generation Moment’
“We gather here today because this is a once-in-a-generation moment for the security of Europe, and we all need to step up,” Starmer declared at the summit’s opening.
Downing Street outlined three primary objectives for the meeting: addressing Ukraine’s immediate requirements, securing a “lasting deal” to end the conflict, and formulating robust security guarantees.
“I hope you know that we are all with you and the people of Ukraine for as long as it takes, everyone around this table,” Starmer reassured Zelensky in his opening remarks.
The summit brought together key global figures, including French President Emmanuel Macron, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and leaders from various European nations, along with representatives from the European Union and NATO.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni emphasized the need for unity during her discussion with Starmer on Sunday, stressing that it is “very, very important that we avoid the risk that the West divides” over Ukraine.
Both Starmer and Meloni are expected to play crucial roles in advancing the peace process. Their established relationships with Trump may prove instrumental in persuading him to take European proposals seriously.