British Prime Minister Keir Starmer urged European leaders Sunday to take greater responsibility for their own security and commit to supporting Ukraine, outlining a plan to end Russia’s war.
“Every nation must contribute to that in the best way that it can, bringing different capabilities and support to the table, but all taking responsibility to act, all stepping up their own share of the burden,” Starmer said, according to Global News.
His remarks came just days after President Donald Trump grilled Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensy’s approach to the ongoing war, calling into question the level of US support for Ukraine and demanding more accountability. The exchange highlighted ongoing tensions over Europe’s role in the war and the future of Western assistance to Kyiv.
Starmer, who has positioned himself as a bridge between Europe and the US, stressed the need for coordinated action. He announced that the United Kingdom, France, and Ukraine had developed a framework for ending the war, which European leaders largely supported.
According to Starmer, the plan includes maintaining economic and military pressure on Russia, ensuring Ukraine’s sovereignty and security in any negotiations, and forming a “coalition of the willing” to provide long-term defense guarantees for Kyiv.
“Not every nation will feel able to contribute, but that can’t mean that we sit back,” Starmer said. “Instead, those willing will intensify planning now with real urgency. The U.K. is prepared to back this with boots on the ground and planes in the air, together with others.”
Starmer acknowledged that US support remains crucial, saying there were “intense discussions” to secure American backing for any peace agreement.
“If there is to be a deal, if there is to be a stopping of the fighting, then that agreement has to be defended, because the worst of all outcomes is that there is a temporary pause and then Putin comes again,” Starmer said.
He indicated that he plans to present a more detailed proposal to the United States and work closely with Trump moving forward.
European leaders have been forced to adjust their approach since Trump opened direct peace talks with Putin, a move that some in Europe have viewed as unwise. Trump has consistently questioned the effectiveness of Western aid to Ukraine and has pushed for a resolution that prioritizes American interests, including one deal that involved precious minerals. Tensions flared once again after Trump criticized Zelensky’s leadership and accused Ukraine of provoking the war.
Vice President JD Vance also confronted Zelensky last week during the spat, criticizing him for his stance on negotiations with Russia. Within hours of Starmer’s return from Washington, discussions about a potential peace deal appeared to stall.
Despite these developments, Starmer dismissed suggestions that the United States is an unreliable ally.
“There are no two countries as closely aligned as our two countries, and our defense, our security, and intelligence are intertwined in a way no two other countries are,” Starmer said.
Before the summit, Starmer told the BBC that while he does not trust Putin, he does trust Trump.
This Story originally came from humanevents.com