Keir Starmer says Europe ‘at crossroads in history’ and must support Ukraine | Ukraine

Keir Starmer has said Europe is “at a crossroads in history” and must act to support Ukraine to secure a lasting peace, as he confirmed the UK and France would lead a “coalition of the willing” to help stop the fighting.

After a crucial defence summit in London, the prime minister said Britain was willing, with other European nations, to put “boots on the ground and planes in the air” to help provide an effective deterrent to Russia.

“It’s time to step up and lead and to unite around a new plan for a just and enduring peace,” he told reporters.

However, Starmer said any plan for a lasting ceasefire would have to involve security guarantees from the US, with senior British officials saying that air, logistics and intelligence support would be necessary.

“To succeed, this effort must have strong US backing. We’re working with the US on this point after my meeting with President Trump last week. Let me be clear, we agree with the president on the urgent need for a durable peace. Now we need to deliver together,” Starmer said.

At the London summit, leaders agreed to continue keeping military aid flowing to Ukraine, including after any ceasefire agreement so that it would be in a strong position to deter any further attacks from Russia.

Other nations are also planning to raise their own defence budgets, after the prime minister announced last week that the UK would increase military spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027 – with an ambition to hit 3% soon after.

Starmer said the gathered leaders had agreed to increase economic pressure on Russia. He announced a deal that would allow Ukraine to use £1.6bn of export finance to buy more than 5,000 air defence missiles.

The chancellor, Rachel Reeves, will sign a £2.3bn loan deal to allow Kyiv to buy more weapons, to be paid back using profits generated on Russian sovereign assets that are under sanctions.

The chancellor has also said she will change the remit of the £27.8bn national wealth fund so it could be spent on defence as well as infrastructure projects.

More details soon …