Sir Keir Starmer has announced a bold initiative to create a "coalition of the willing" aimed at drafting a peace plan to end the ongoing war in Ukraine. This announcement comes after a recent public disagreement between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a meeting at the White House.
Starmer shared his vision during a speech in the House of Commons, just a day after European leaders, along with representatives from Canada and Turkey, gathered in London to discuss the situation in Ukraine. The gathering highlighted the urgency of finding a resolution to the conflict.
The Labour leader’s plan includes four key points. First, it emphasizes that any lasting peace must ensure Ukraine’s sovereignty and security. Second, it calls for continued military aid to Ukraine while increasing economic pressure on Russia. Third, if a peace agreement is reached, Ukraine’s defenses need to be strengthened further. Finally, Starmer envisions a coalition that will work together to create this peace plan, which will then be presented to the United States for support.
Starmer also mentioned that this coalition would be responsible for enforcing any peace deal in Ukraine. He proposed that the UK would provide £1.6 billion in export finance to help Ukraine acquire 5,000 additional air defense missiles, reflecting a commitment to bolster Ukraine’s military capabilities amidst ongoing tensions.
The situation has been complicated by the recent pause in military aid from Washington to Kyiv, leaving uncertainty about future support for Ukraine. Starmer’s initiative aims to address these challenges and ensure that Europe plays a leading role in securing peace.
The coalition could potentially involve troops from various European and NATO countries acting as peacekeepers in Ukraine, deterring any future aggression from Russian President Vladimir Putin. Starmer stressed that Europe must take the lead in defense matters and noted that several countries have already shown interest in joining this coalition.
This initiative follows a security summit held at Lancaster House, where leaders discussed the need for a coordinated approach to peace in Ukraine. The UK and France are expected to play pivotal roles in this effort, with Baltic states like Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia likely to participate as well.
Starmer’s plan represents a significant step in international diplomacy regarding the Ukraine conflict, aiming to unite European nations in a concerted effort to restore peace and stability in the region.