'Coalition of the willing' to back Ukraine: London

The UK, France and a number of other countries will create a "coalition of willing" to provide security guarantees for Ukraine, Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Sunday after a European summit that was escalated to an emergency gathering following the stunning verbal clash at the White House just 48 hours prior.

- HT Correspondent

Describing the situation between Ukraine and Russia as being "at a crossroads in history" for Europe, Starmer said "there is no more time for talks — we need to act, step up and lead" as he announced five specific aspects the European leaders agreed upon.

"We will work on a plan. Europe must do the heavy lifting, but to support peace in our continent, and to succeed, this effort must have strong US backing," said Starmer, as he proclaimed that London was ready to do what it takes, including "putting boots on the ground and planes in the sky".

The Prime Minister announced a deal allowing Ukraine to use £1.6 billion ($2 billion) of UK export finance to buy more than 5,000 air defence missiles.

The British PM, along with others including French President Emmanuel Macron, have been working the phones since the bust-up at the White House raised the risk of a sudden halt in American support for a war that has raged for more than three years.