British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will host Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and European leaders on Sunday, seeking to strengthen Western support for Kyiv after Zelenskyy’s tense exchange with U.S. President Donald Trump.
Europe Steps Up Amid U.S. Uncertainty
Zelenskyy arrived in London on Saturday, receiving a warm welcome from Starmer outside Downing Street. The meeting follows Trump’s warning that U.S. support for Ukraine could end unless Kyiv pursues a peace deal with Moscow.
European leaders now face the challenge of stepping up weapons and financial aid before any talks with Russia. While they lack U.S.-level military stockpiles, Germany has pushed for the release of €3 billion ($3.1 billion) for Ukraine.
Key Leaders at the Table
Sunday’s talks include:
French President Emmanuel Macron
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte
Leaders from Germany, Italy, Spain, Poland, and Nordic nations
Türkiye’s foreign minister is also attending.
Starmer’s Vision: A European Backstop
Starmer emphasized that “Europe is at a turning point”, pledging military aid, training, and security guarantees for Ukraine. He hopes to bridge the gap between Europe and the U.S., pressing for an American “backstop” to a potential European peacekeeping force.
The idea, floated by Macron and Starmer in Washington, remains uncertain. Trump has not committed but has not ruled it out.
Rebuilding Bridges After Trump-Zelenskyy Clash
Friday’s clash with Trump soured European optimism, which had been building after Macron and Starmer’s U.S. visit. The dispute exposed Washington’s shifting stance and put pressure on Kyiv to mend ties with Trump.
Some leaders, including NATO’s Rutte and Poland’s Andrzej Duda, will urge Zelenskyy to rebuild diplomatic channels with Trump. Germany’s ruling party also stressed the need for ongoing U.S. engagement, warning that Trump’s position remains unpredictable.
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