The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Keir Starmer, will host leaders from Italy, Germany, Poland, and other allies on Sunday, likely including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, to discuss Donald Trump's peace initiative regarding Ukraine, as reported by Reuters.
The publication highlights that the U.S. President has compelled Europe to reassess its security approach by unexpectedly stating that European nations must increase defense spending and take responsibility for their own security.
It is noted that the meeting in London will take place shortly after Starmer returns from discussions with Trump in Washington, scheduled for Thursday, February 27. The British Prime Minister hopes that his commitment to boosting the defense budget will help maintain strong relations between the two allies.
Earlier this week, French President Emmanuel Macron met with Trump as part of European efforts to persuade him to avoid rushing into a peace agreement with Vladimir Putin, allowing space for Europe and Ukraine's involvement, and to discuss military guarantees for Kyiv.
"I acknowledge that European allies, including the UK, need to do more, which means capability, coordination, and spending," Starmer told reporters en route to Washington.
He also added that coordination is extremely important and expressed his admiration for the lessons the EU and the UK should learn from Ukraine about how allies can better coordinate actions to support its defense capabilities.
Starmer confirmed on Tuesday that a meeting will take place in London over the weekend to discuss further joint actions by allies in response to the current situation. However, his representative stated on Wednesday that it is too early to say who exactly will participate in the summit.
European leaders, including Starmer, held an emergency meeting in Paris earlier this month to discuss increasing defense spending. However, they disagreed on the possibility of deploying peacekeeping forces in Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Zelensky stated that he would attend the London meeting if his visit to Washington for talks with Trump on Friday also takes place.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk confirmed that he plans to join the meeting in London. He is expected to be joined by NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. According to Dutch media reports, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte will also participate in the summit.
Meanwhile, Trump has already begun negotiations with Russia regarding a peace agreement to end the war and has sharply criticized Zelensky. In response, European leaders have intensified diplomatic efforts, demonstrating a united stance in support of Kyiv.
Nevertheless, previous European plans for security guarantees to maintain any peace in Ukraine depend on the U.S. being willing to provide yet undefined protection to deter Russia from further aggression.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/uk-plans-ukraine-talks-trump-debrief-with-european-leaders-sunday-2025-02-26/