Britain is hosting a summit of European leaders on Sunday to shore up support for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy after an astonishing Oval Office blowout with President Donald Trump that left many uncertain where the once staunch allies stood.
The London meeting has now taken on greater importance in defending the war-torn ally and boosting the continent’s defenses.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who is hosting the leaders of more than a dozen countries and other officials, embraced Zelenskyy on his arrival in London, saying he is determined to find an end to Russia’s war on Ukraine.
Starmer announced Sunday that Britain, France and Ukraine have agreed to work on a ceasefire plan to present to the United States — a plan that emerged, he said, in talks among the countries’ leaders following the White House spat.
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U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer told European leaders on Sunday that they need to step up to a “once in a generation moment” for the security of Europe.
Starmer told the London summit that getting a good outcome for Ukraine was “vital to the security of every nation here and many others too.”
He was flanked by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and French President Emmanuel Macron.
Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni met with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the London meeting on Sunday, reaffirming Italy’s support for Ukraine.
Her office said she expressed support, together with European and Western partners and the United States, “to build a just and lasting peace, which ensures a future of sovereignty, security and freedom for Ukraine.” It was in line with Italy’s position through the war while keeping the U.S. in the picture.
Meloni spoke with U.S. President Donald Trump by phone on the eve on the meeting, but her office did not reveal the contents of the call.
Meloni, who as head of a far-right party is a natural ally of the Trump administration, has found herself in difficult waters as he yanks support for Ukraine.
The leaders of the three Baltic states have not publicly criticized the decision not to include them in London’s meeting.
But one Lithuanian official says it is a disappointment. Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia have in the past seen major powers make decisions over their heads. After World War II they were forced against their will into the Soviet Union.
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda said in public remarks to reporters that he was not upset.
But one of his advisers, Asta Skaisgirytė, told Lithuanian radio on Sunday that the president “made it very clear that we are unhappy that we were not invited to London.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has arrived at a London summit of European leaders to discuss the war in Ukraine.
Zelenskyy’s presence comes two days after talks broke down in dramatic fashion at the White House with U.S. President Donald Trump. Trump blasted Zelenskyy for not being grateful enough for U.S. support.
Zelenskyy arrived after several of his peers, including French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen.
Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, NATO’s Secretary-General Mark Rutte were also present.
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