Europe agrees steps to peace for Ukraine, but they need US backing

European Leaders Unite in London to Pledge Military Support for Ukraine

In a decisive show of solidarity, European leaders, including representatives from Canada and Turkey, gathered in London for a summit to reaffirm their commitment to supporting Ukraine militarily. The meeting, held two days after a contentious encounter between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House, underscored the resolve of Western allies to secure peace and stability in Ukraine. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, speaking at the summit, emphasized the importance of U.S. backing to ensure the success of their defense strategy, stating that Europe must "do the heavy lifting" but cannot achieve lasting peace without strong American support.

The summit, convened at Lancaster House under the theme "Securing our Future," brought together a powerful lineup of global leaders, including the heads of state from France, Germany, Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain, Sweden, the Czech Republic, and Romania. Additionally, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and high-ranking officials from the European Commission and NATO, such as Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa, were in attendance. The meeting served as a strategic platform to discuss the next steps in providing military aid to Ukraine and ensuring its sovereignty in the face of ongoing conflict with Russia.

Zelenskyy, who had cut short his visit to Washington following a tense meeting with Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance, received a warm welcome in London. The Ukrainian leader was embraced by world leaders who reaffirmed their unwavering support for his country’s cause. Starmer announced that Western allies would continue to supply military aid to Ukraine, with the goal of achieving a "lasting peace" that guarantees the nation’s liberty and sovereignty. The British Prime Minister also hinted at the possibility of deploying UK troops and aircraft to Ukraine if necessary, calling on other nations to join a "coalition of the willing" to defend Ukraine.

The summit took place against the backdrop of a deepening diplomatic rift between the U.S. and Ukraine. During Zelenskyy’s meeting with Trump and Vance, the Ukrainian president was criticized for not expressing sufficient gratitude to the United States for its support. The encounter ended without a deal on a proposed agreement to develop Ukraine’s mineral resources, which Kyiv had hoped would bolster Trump’s backing for Ukraine’s war effort. The fallout from the meeting raised concerns among political observers about a potential shift in U.S. foreign policy toward Russia, signaling a troubling realignment that could weaken the transatlantic alliance.

Addressing the press after the summit, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called for Europe to strengthen Ukraine’s resilience by enhancing its economic, energy, and military capabilities. She emphasized the need to provide robust security guarantees to transform Ukraine into a "steel porcupine" that would be "indigestible for potential attackers" like Russia. Von der Leyen also urged European nations to "urgently" modernize their defense systems and increase military spending to meet the challenges of the new geopolitical landscape. She announced plans to present a comprehensive defense strategy to EU leaders during the next summit in Brussels on March 6.

The London gathering also provided an opportunity for bilateral discussions aimed at repairing relations between Europe and the United States. Prior to the summit, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni of Italy, who enjoys a close relationship with Trump, met with Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street. Both leaders reaffirmed their support for Ukraine and agreed that their countries would stand by Kyiv "for as long as it takes." Meloni emphasized the importance of unity, proposing a meeting between U.S. and European leaders to bridge the growing divide. "We must avoid the risk of the West splitting," she said, highlighting the need for collective action in areas such as security, defense, and energy.

In a separate virtual meeting, Starmer also engaged with leaders from the Baltic states, including Estonian President Alar Karis and Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa, to discuss the regional implications of the conflict. Siliņa underscored the critical role of the Baltic nations in the diplomatic process, noting that NATO’s Article 5 mutual defense commitment remained firmly in place, with assurances reportedly coming from Starmer himself rather than directly from the U.S. Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda, also part of the discussion, called for a renewed effort to bring the U.S., Ukraine, and Europe to the negotiating table, advocating for the deployment of a European peacekeeping force as a key component of Ukraine’s security guarantees.

The summit concluded with a clear resolve among European leaders to intensify their efforts to support Ukraine,both militarily and economically, while also addressing the broader challenges facing the continent. The meeting highlighted the urgency of repairing transatlantic relations and fostering unity in the face of escalating tensions with Russia. As the conflict in Ukraine continues to shape global geopolitics, the leaders’ commitments in London underscored their determination to secure a future marked by peace, stability, and sovereignty for the Ukrainian people.