Starmer’s 'coalition of the willing’ seeks US backing

UK strikes £1.6bn deal to help Ukraine buy 5,000 missiles

- DAVID MADDOX MILLIE COOKE

Sir Keir Starmer has said Europe must do the heavy lifting” as he seized control of Ukraine peace talks from Donald Trump.

The prime minister said now was “not a moment for more talk, it is time to act” after hosting a summit of 19 leaders from Europe and Nato at Lancaster House, London, with Volodymyr Zelensky to defend Ukraine from further Russian aggression.

Sir Keir told a press conference that the UK, France and others had formed “a coalition of the willing” to put together a plan for peace which they will present to Mr Trump – taking away the initiative from the US president who had wanted to impose his own deal.

He also announced a £1.6bn finance deal to help Ukraine buy 5,000 air defence missiles in a show that the UK will continue to support the Ukraine president’s war efforts.

It came on the same day that President Zelensky met King Charles in a highly unusual political gesture by the monarch, seemingly designed to send a clear signal to the US president after he berated the Ukrainian leader in the Oval Office on Friday.

The prime minister said: “We are at a crossroads in history today. This is not a moment for more talk. It’s time to act. Time to step up and lead and to unite around a new plan for a just and enduring peace.”

“Not every nation will feel able to contribute but that can’t mean that we sit back. Instead, those willing will intensify planning now with real urgency. The UK is prepared to back this with boots on the ground and planes in the air, together with others. Europe must do the heavy lifting,” he added.

But he insisted leaders would work with the US and any peace deal must have “strong US backing” to succeed.