Leaders from fifteen countries gathered at Lancaster House for the London Summit on Ukraine, marking a pivotal moment in the international response to the war. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer hosted the meeting, emphasizing the necessity of unity among allies to bolster support for Ukraine. Demonstrative of this commitment was the recent visit by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to King Charles, which symbolizes the steadfast backing the UK provides to Ukraine amid its struggle against Russian aggression.
The summit did not shy away from tackling pressing issues directly. Starmer announced significant financial support of $2.2 billion for the procurement of 5,000 air defense missiles to aid Ukraine's military resilience. France and the UK also proposed a one-month ceasefire focusing on halting aerial, maritime, and energy infrastructure attacks. French President Emmanuel Macron expressed confidence, stating, “We know how to measure it,” referring to the extensive war front, likening it to the distance from Paris to Budapest.
The leaders concluded the summit by unanimously agreeing on the urgency for Ukraine to receive military and economic support to negotiate from a position of strength. Starmer highlighted, “The purpose of the meeting was to unite partners around this effort to strengthen Ukraine and support a fair and lasting peace for the benefit of all.” The agreement underscored several commitments: military aid would be sustained and even escalated, economic pressure on Russia would be intensified, and Ukraine must be fully included at the negotiating table to guarantee its sovereignty.
Starmer clarified the origins of the military funding, dispelling concerns about taxpayer dollars being utilized for foreign defense, stating, “The £2.2 billion loan for additional military assistance to Ukraine does not come from British taxpayers, but from profits generated from 'frozen' Russian assets.” He also discussed forthcoming agreements which would allow Ukraine to utilize £1.6 billion from UK export funding to acquire the defense systems, crafted to generate jobs within the UK’s defense sector, particularly Belfast.
Among the summit highlights was the collaborative spirit surrounding the arrangement of the so-called Alliance of Willing, which aims to advocate for lasting peace through military support for Ukraine. Starmer reiterated the UK’s readiness to back efforts with troops on the ground and aircraft overhead, alongside other allies, stating the need for substantial backing from the United States, even as Europe commits to carrying the larger burden of support.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also addressed the summit, stressing the urgent need for Europe to rearm. “We must give member states the fiscal space to increase defense spending,” she said. This theme of collaboration carried through, as she extended an invitation for the US to join Europe against the backdrop of upholding democratic principles and preventing future conflicts.
Antonio Costa, President of the European Council, expressed readiness to work with European partners and other allies on the peace plan assuring stability for the Ukrainian people. He cautioned against repeating historical mistakes, emphasizing the need for strong security guarantees which must accompany any peace negotiation, to prevent future aggression.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte underscored the urgency of increasing defense expenditures across Europe to maintain NATO’s strength, reinforcing the message echoed by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who highlighted the significance of the transatlantic alliance, emphasizing the role both Germany and the US play as primary supporters of Ukraine.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk also voiced the collective agreement among leaders at the summit for increased defense spending and strengthening relations with the US. “The message to Russian President Vladimir Putin is clear: the West has no intention of succumbing to his coercion and aggression,” he noted, emphasizing the importance of unity among Western allies.
The Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who had also met with President Zelensky, reaffirmed Italy’s unwavering support for Ukraine. After the summit, Starmer rebuffed suggestions from any quarters casting doubt on US reliability as a partner, reiteratively stressing, “The US has been and remains a dependable ally.”
Starmer asserted the importance of adhering to the primary goal of achieving sustainable peace for Ukraine, stating, “We find ourselves at a historical crossroads. It’s no longer time for discussions—it’s time to act and unify behind the new plan for fair and lasting peace.”
With the summit’s conclusions, leaders expressed hope for galvanizing international support to solidify Ukraine’s defenses and achieve lasting peace—a goal set against the urgent backdrop of continuing conflict.