BRITAIN and France will lead a new “coalition of the willing” to defend Ukraine with jets and troops, Sir Keir Starmer has declared.
The PM warned Europe must step up and “do the heavy lifting” – while still scrambling for America’s “strong” backing.
During critical discussions in London with European leaders, a plea was made by an individual. This plea followed a tense clash in the Oval Office involving the US President and Volodymyr Zelensky.
The Prime Minister sought to play down the public dressing down, only insisting it had made him feel “uncomfortable”.
Lord Mandelson, representing Britain in Washington, advised the Ukrainian leader to reconcile with Trump, emphasizing that Trump’s peace initiative is currently the most viable option.
And he even urged Ukraine to call a ceasefire first and challenge the Russians to follow suit.
Fresh from the bruising in Washington, the Ukrainian war hero was front and centre at the Lancaster House summit as leaders rallied behind Ukraine.
The meeting, which was attended by French President Emmanuel Macron, Canadian PM Justin Trudeau, and European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen, centered around the establishment of a new military alliance to ensure the future security of Ukraine.
Unveiling his battle plan for the war-torn country, the PM told a press conference: “This is not a moment for more talk. It’s time to act. Time to step up and lead, and to unite, around a new plan for a just and enduring peace.”
He unveiled a £1.6 billion finance deal to help Ukraine buy more than 5,000 missiles and vowed to keep the weapons flowing while ramping up economic pressure on Russia.
And he pledged to develop a “coalition of the willing” to defend any future peace deal.
He insisted the UK was ready to send “boots on the ground and planes in the air, alongside France and others.
Once the details are ironed out, he said he and Mr Macron will present the plan for peace to Trump, acting as a “bridge” between Washington and Kyiv.
Sir Keir added: “Not every nation will feel able to contribute but that can’t mean that we sit back.
“Instead, those willing will intensify planning now with real urgency.”
He acknowledged the effort would need “strong US backing”, but dismissed doubts about America’s commitment to Ukraine.
The PM said: “The US has been a reliable ally to the UK for many, many decades, and continues to be.
“There are no two countries as closely aligned as our two countries and our defence, our security and intelligence is intertwined in a way no two other countries are, so it’s an important and reliable ally for us.”
Opposition leader Kemi Badenoch praised Starmer’s “coalition of the willing” proposal in an X post.
“Although details are still emerging, a coalition of the willing is welcome. The PM is also right that Europe will need to do the heavy lifting in any peace agreement,” she wrote.
“We will need to see more action, not just warm words.”
The Prime Minister also brushed off calls to cancel Trump’s state visit following the explosive Oval Office row with Zelensky.
Some politicians, including Scottish National Party leader John Swinney, have demanded the offer be withdrawn after Trump accused the Ukrainian leader of not showing enough gratitude for US support.
But the PM hit back, slamming those trying to “ramp up the rhetoric” instead of focusing on securing peace.
He told the BBC: “I’m not going to be diverted by the SNP or others trying to ramp up the rhetoric without really appreciating what is the single most important thing at stake here, we’re talking about peace in Europe.”
Following the summit, Zelensky travelled to Sandringham for an audience with the King, where he was warmly received.
The meeting, which lasted just under an hour, was held over refreshments, in what was seen as a strong show of British support after tensions in Washington.
The Ukrainian leader’s visit to the UK was part of a major diplomatic push, with leaders at Lancaster House agreeing to meet again soon to hammer out the details of the plan.
Speaking after the summit, European Council President Antonio Costa said long-term security guarantees for Ukraine were critical, warning: “We cannot repeat at all the Afghanistan tragedy.”
He also said the EU was working on a comprehensive plan to “rearm Europe”, which he will present on Thursday.
European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen echoed the calls for urgent action, insisting Ukraine must be turned into a “steel porcupine”—so heavily armed it becomes “indigestible” to invaders.
She warned that Europe needed a “surge” in defence spending after years of underinvestment and said the West must be ready to arm Kyiv for the long haul.
And while she did not say Italy would take part in the “coalition of the willing”, Italy‘s PM Giorgia Meloni offered to play a bridge-building role alongside Sir Keir to improve tensions between the US and Ukraine.
Ms Meloni, who enjoys a close relationship with Trump, added: “I think it is very important that we avoid the risk that the west divides. And I think on this, the UK and Italy can play an important role in bridge building.”
