Europe 'at crossroads in history,' must support Ukraine: Keir Starmer
What's the story
United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer has said that Europe is "at a crossroads in history" and must back Ukraine to achieve lasting peace.
He made the remarks after a landmark defense summit in London attended by major European powers and Canada.
Following the meeting, the UK and France vowed to spearhead a "coalition of the willing" to put an end to the Ukraine conflict.
Coalition formation
UK-France to lead 'coalition of the willing'
Starmer emphasized that any ceasefire plan should be executed with US cooperation to prevent Russia.
He announced a deal permitting Ukraine to utilize £1.6 billion of export finance to buy over 5,000 air defense missiles from Thales in Belfast.
The deal is anticipated to generate jobs and boost economic growth for the UK.
The summit became urgent after a heated meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US President Donald Trump at the Oval Office in Washington, DC.
Military deployment
European nations ready to deploy military forces
Starmer further said European nations are ready to put "boots on the ground and planes in the air" to deter Russia.
He stressed the importance of unity around a plan for lasting peace, saying, "If you want to preserve the peace, you have to be prepared to defend the peace."
The UK plans to raise military spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027, aiming for 3% shortly thereafter.
Economic measures
UK plans to increase military spending
UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said economic pressure on Russia will also be ramped up with a £2.3 billion loan deal to allow Kyiv to buy more weapons with profits from sanctioned Russian assets.
She also stated that she will broaden the scope of the £27.8 billion national wealth fund to include both defense and infrastructure projects.
Starmer failed to get concrete guarantees of further military backing from other NATO countries.
Diplomatic efforts
Starmer's visit to Washington aims for US support
But European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she would respond on Thursday with her own plan to "rearm Europe."
During his recent Washington visit, Starmer sought US support for Ukraine and to avoid tariffs on British goods.
Although Trump is reluctant to commit troops, the meeting was well-received by both leaders and the media.
Trump called Starmer "a special man," while Starmer praised Trump's return of Winston Churchill's bust to the Oval Office.