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Speaking ahead of the London summit of European leaders, Starmer said that the European “coalition of those who want” – under the leadership of the United Kingdom and France – proposes to put troops on land in Ukraine to protect any ceasefire.
However, Starmer acknowledged that he did not receive assurances from Trump that the US would provide the military “back” of such a European power – the defense that the UK leader insists is important for Vladimir Putin’s refusal to attack Ukraine again.
On Saturday, Starmer held talks with the President of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky, and then discussed with Trump and French President Emanuel Macron potentially after Friday’s debol in the White House when the US president collided with a Ukrainian leader.
Speaker, speaking to the BBC, said: “We agreed that the UK, together with France and possibly another -second -day, will work with Ukraine over the plan to stop fighting. Then we will discuss this plan with the US.”
Starmer said the agreement between European leaders on security guarantee for Ukraine should be headed by the “coalition of those who want” when it came to support.
“We need to find those countries in Europe that are ready to be more inclined, rather than moving at the pace of each member, every country in Europe, which will eventually be a slow pace,” Starmer said.
“This is no exception – the more the better – but we need to go to a faster and faster path forward.”
Starmer also stated that he made a “important step forward” to the tension of smoothing and reaching an agreement between Trump and Zelensky during several telephone calls with both leaders last weekend.
He added that he was sure that “President Trump wants a strong peace” and he can be trusted, saying: “He said for sure he would have our backs.”
“European countries should make more and ensure security guarantee, and today I discuss with President Macron and others.. But I have always understood that this would need the United States,” he said.
Starmer said the UK and the United States teams discuss the ways in which Trump can help secure any peaceful deal, although the US president has always made it clear that he sees it as the responsibility of European countries.
“A lot of people urge me to choose between the US on the one hand, and the EU on the other. The wrong choice,” he said. “We, as a country, have never done it, we have never done it as a working party, and we don’t have to do it now.”
He added: “We are in this position to have a special relationship with the US, having strong relations with Europe, we need to support both.”
Downing Street expects the participants at the Sunday summit to include Olaf Scholtz from Germany, Georgia Meloni from Italy and Donald Tusk from Poland, as well as Ursul von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, and Mark Rutte, NATO Secretary General. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudan is expected and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidon.
The summit will be held at the Lancaster House, a 19th-century mansion, near the Bakingham Palace in Central London. Starmer will also call the leaders of the three state powers.
Last week, the French official stated that the early signs were that the UK and France could provide the largest contingents in any stabilization force after some other countries may have help offers.
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2025-03-02 10:09:00