UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer will intensify his efforts in pursuit of a just and lasting peace in Ukraine by convening international leaders at a summit in London today.
This summit follows a week of intense diplomacy for the Prime Minister. His efforts have included raising UK defence spending and traveling to Washington D.C. for discussions with President Trump, reinforcing UK and European security commitments. On Friday evening, he spoke again with both President Trump and President Zelensky after the Presidents’ meeting in Washington D.C., continuing to align strategies for Ukraine’s future.
The Prime Minister will start the day by welcoming Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to Downing Street before hosting the broader summit in central London. Attendees will include leaders from Ukraine, France, Germany, Denmark, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain, Canada, Finland, Sweden, Czechia, and Romania. The summit will also feature the Turkish Foreign Minister, NATO Secretary General, and the Presidents of the European Commission and European Council.
A core principle of this diplomatic initiative is the recognition that Ukraine must be at the center of any discussions about its future. The Prime Minister emphasized this stance when he warmly welcomed President Zelenskyy to Downing Street on Saturday evening ahead of the summit.
Summit Focus Areas
The discussions at the summit will revolve around three crucial objectives:
- Strengthening Ukraine’s position now – ensuring continued military support and ramping up economic pressure on Russia.
- Securing a lasting peace deal – one that fortifies Ukraine’s defenses and deters future aggression from Russia.
- Planning for strong security guarantees – ensuring Ukraine’s long-term security framework is robust and reliable.
Earlier this week, the UK announced plans to allocate 2.5% of its GDP to defence by 2027. The Prime Minister will stress the necessity for Europe to step up its defence contributions, reinforcing the collective security architecture.
The UK has consistently demonstrated its readiness to support Ukraine beyond financial and military aid. The Prime Minister has made it clear that the UK is willing to deploy troops to Ukraine in support of future security arrangements. This move highlights the UK’s dedication to ensuring Ukraine is equipped to defend itself against future threats.
Earlier this week Prime Minister Starmer emphasised the critical juncture at which the world finds itself, three years after Russia’s initial invasion of Ukraine:
“Three years on from Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine, we are at a turning point. Today I will reaffirm my unwavering support for Ukraine and double down on my commitment to provide capacity, training, and aid to Ukraine, putting it in the strongest possible position.
“In partnership with our allies, we must intensify our preparations for the European element of security guarantees, alongside continued discussions with the United States.
“We have an opportunity to come together to ensure a just and lasting peace in Ukraine that secures their sovereignty and security.
“Now is the time for us to unite in order to guarantee the best outcome for Ukraine, protect European security, and secure our collective future.”
UK-Ukraine Bilateral Agreement
In a significant financial commitment, Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Ukraine’s Finance Minister Sergii Marchenko signed the UK-Ukraine Bilateral Agreement on March 1st. Under this agreement, the UK will provide £2.26 billion in funding to Ukraine. This funding will be repaid using the extraordinary profits generated from sanctioned Russian sovereign assets held within the EU.
This agreement forms part of the G7 Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration (ERA) Loans to Ukraine scheme. Under this initiative, G7 nations will collectively provide $50 billion to support Ukraine, ensuring that it remains financially equipped to sustain its defence and reconstruction efforts.
