‘Europe Must Take the Lead’ in Ukraine, Says Starmer

LONDON, 2 March 2025 (BSS/AFP) – British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has stated that “Europe must take the lead” in securing peace in Ukraine, while also stressing the need for strong backing from the United States to deter further aggression from Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Following high-level discussions with over a dozen world leaders in central London, Starmer reaffirmed that several nations were prepared to play a role in upholding any potential ceasefire.

“Europe must take the lead, but to ensure lasting peace on our continent, this effort must have firm support from the United States,” Starmer told reporters after the meeting.

Formation of a ‘Coalition of the Willing’

Starmer, alongside French President Emmanuel Macron, has indicated that both the United Kingdom and France are prepared to deploy troops to Ukraine in a peacekeeping capacity should a formal agreement to end the war be reached. The two leaders are spearheading efforts to assemble a group of nations willing to contribute in various ways to maintaining stability, referred to as a “coalition of the willing.”

“A number of countries have expressed interest in being part of the plan we are developing,” Starmer said, while refraining from naming specific nations. “Each country will make its own announcement regarding how they intend to contribute.”

He emphasised the urgency of the situation, stating that those willing to participate “will now intensify planning with real urgency.” While acknowledging that not all nations may be in a position to contribute directly, he asserted that inaction was not an option.

Uncertain US Commitment

Despite Starmer’s call for transatlantic cooperation, US President Donald Trump has yet to offer concrete security guarantees regarding Ukraine. However, Starmer maintained that discussions were progressing with the understanding that the initiative would have US support.

“I would not be pursuing this course of action if I did not believe it would lead to a positive outcome, ensuring that Ukraine, Europe, the UK, and the US move forward together,” he said.

Starmer also dismissed concerns about Washington’s reliability, stating, “America is not an unreliable ally.”

Mixed Reactions from European Leaders

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni appeared to distance Italy from any potential peacekeeping mission, stating that “the presence of Italian troops in Ukraine at this stage has never been on the agenda.” She further described the idea of deploying peacekeepers as “a complex solution that may not be the most decisive approach.”

Despite these differing positions, European leaders are continuing discussions on how best to support Ukraine’s security.

UK’s Financial Support for Ukraine

In addition to diplomatic efforts, Starmer announced a new agreement allowing Ukraine access to £1.6 billion ($2 billion) in UK export finance to procure over 5,000 air defence missiles. The deal is intended to bolster Ukraine’s ability to defend itself against aerial attacks while broader peace negotiations continue.

The Road Ahead for Ukraine

As the war in Ukraine enters its third year, European leaders face the challenge of balancing military aid, diplomatic negotiations, and security guarantees. With divisions emerging among allies and uncertainty surrounding US policy, the success of Starmer and Macron’s proposed coalition remains to be seen.

Meanwhile, the role of NATO and the European Union in future peacekeeping operations is expected to be a key topic in upcoming international discussions. Whether Ukraine will receive the necessary support to enforce a ceasefire and rebuild its war-torn nation depends largely on the willingness of European powers to step up in the absence of firm US commitments.