British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on Sunday that the United Kingdom, France, and Ukraine have agreed to work together on a ceasefire plan to be presented to the United States.
The agreement comes as Starmer prepares to host a summit of European leaders aimed at strengthening defense and restoring peace talks in Ukraine.
“We’ve now agreed that the United Kingdom, along with France and possibly one or two others, will work with Ukraine on a plan to stop the fighting, and then we’ll discuss that plan with the United States,” Starmer told the BBC. He stressed that the focus would be on re-engaging with U.S. President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, and French President Emmanuel Macron, rather than escalating rhetoric.
The summit, set to take place at Lancaster House in London—a historic mansion near Buckingham Palace—will include leaders from across Europe, including representatives from France, Germany, Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain, Canada, Finland, Sweden, the Czech Republic, and Romania. The meeting will also be attended by the Turkish foreign minister, NATO’s secretary-general, and the presidents of both the European Commission and the European Council.
Starmer’s comments come in the wake of a widely publicized exchange at the White House on Friday, when President Trump sharply reprimanded President Zelenskyy for expressing gratitude over U.S. support in Ukraine’s battle against Russia. Despite that incident, Starmer expressed trust in Trump’s commitment to peace. “Do I believe Donald Trump when he says he wants lasting peace? The answer to that is yes,” he said.
The summit is viewed as a crucial step for Europe to back its war-torn ally while enhancing its own defenses. Discussions are expected to include proposals for establishing a European military force—a “coalition of the willing”—that could help underpin any ceasefire agreement. Experts note that, with the United States recently signaling neutrality in negotiations, Europe may need to assume a larger role. Some have even suggested that the release of up to 200 billion euros in seized Russian assets could help fund such efforts.
In addition to the ceasefire plan, European leaders at the summit are expected to discuss increased defense spending. Starmer has pledged to boost U.K. military spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027, while Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala called on European nations to reach at least 3% of GDP. French President Macron, emphasizing the need for a more sovereign and united Europe, also stressed the importance of ramping up defense investments.
As negotiations continue, Starmer reaffirmed Britain’s commitment to supporting Ukraine, noting the enthusiastic public backing evident during recent meetings with Zelenskyy. “We stand with you, with Ukraine, for as long as it may take,” he said.
With the summit underway, European leaders are positioning themselves to play a leading role in achieving a lasting ceasefire and ensuring that Ukraine negotiates from a position of strength, even as challenges remain amid shifting international alliances and defense priorities.
The regional government of Spain's Canary Islands is opposed to a...
President Donald Trump cited "great progress" toward a comprehensive agreement with Iran as he announced he would briefly pause the ...
The Middle East crisis is set to dominate the ASEAN summit on 8 May, shifting focus away from regional diplomacy....
ITA Airways is preparing to raise ticket prices by between 5% and 10% this year as soaring fuel costs linked to the conflict involving Iran, Israel...
The Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2026 will mark its 10th anniversary with a major entertainment programme in Baku, headlined by global pop star ...
The UK is moving to join a €90 billion European Union loan scheme for Ukraine, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer saying the benefits outweigh the costs, as he pushes for closer ties with Europe at a summit in Armenia this week.
Armenia is host to the 8th meeting of the European Political Community which opened in Yerevan on Monday (4 May). Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan welcomed European Union leaders and heads of international organisations, including NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla commemorated victims of the 11 September, 2001, an al Qaeda attack on New York City on Wednesday, laying a floral bouquet at the memorial where the World Trade Centre's twin towers once stood.
Nearly one million young people in the UK are not in education, employment or training (NEET), a new report warns, placing Britain among the worst-performing wealthy European nations.
A 77-year-old man and a 63-year-old woman were killed on Monday (4 May), after a man drove a car into a crowd on a pedestrianised street in the the eastern German city of Leipzig, authorities said.
Iran warned Armerican forces on Monday (4 May) not to enter the Strait of Hormuz, after the U.S. said it had launched a mission to try and reopen the sea passage. Meanwhile, Iran's Foreign Minister said there was no military solution to the Middle East conflict.
The United Arab Emirate said it was dealing with missile and drone attacks from Iran for the second day in a row on Tuesday (5 May), despite denials from authorities in Tehran who threatened a "crushing response" if the UAE retaliated.
President Donald Trump cited "great progress" toward a comprehensive agreement with Iran as he announced he would briefly pause the operation to escort ships through the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio urges China to pressure Tehran over its actions in the Hormuz.
The steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art were transformed once again into the world's most prestigious runway for the 2026 Met Gala. This year’s theme, 'Costume Art,' invited guests to explore the intersection of nature, history, and the surreal under the official dress code 'Fashion Is Art'.
ITA Airways is preparing to raise ticket prices by between 5% and 10% this year as soaring fuel costs linked to the conflict involving Iran, Israel and the U.S. continue to pressure airlines worldwide.
Ukraine has accused Russia of violating a ceasefire proposed by Kyiv that came into effect at midnight on 6 May, reporting continued strikes that left at least one person dead and several others injured across frontline regions.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to discuss Cuba and global religious freedom with Pope Leo during a visit to the Vatican on Thursday (7 May), following recent criticism from President Donald Trump over the pope’s comments on the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran.
Start your day informed with the AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top stories for the 6th of May, covering the latest developments you need to know.
A shooting at a school in northwestern Brazil on Tuesday (5 May) has left two staff members dead and several others injured, including a student, in the latest incident of violence to hit the country’s education system.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment