Starmer to join European leaders in ‘once in a generation’ emergency meeting as concerns grow over Trump’s intervention in Ukraine
An emergency summit is to be held among European leaders as concerns grow over Donald Trump’s interventions on the peace process in Ukraine.
Sir Keir Starmer called it a “once-in-a-generation moment for our national security” adding it was clear Europe must take a greater role in Nato.
It comes as US officials have confirmed senior White House officials are set to meet with Russian and Ukrainian negotiators in Saudi Arabia in coming days.
President Donald Trump’s special envoy to Ukraine said leaders from Europe would be consulted but not take part in any talks between US and Russia over ending the war in Ukraine.
Starmer told the BBC he will “work to ensure we keep US and Europe together” on Ukraine.
On X, President Zelensky wrote: “We have begun working with President Trump’s team and can already see that success is attainable. Right now, the world is looking up to America as the power that has the ability to not only stop the war but also help ensure the reliability of peace afterward.
Ahead of the Munich Security Conference, I had a good call with [President Trump], as well as a substantive meeting with Vice President Vance and Secretary of State Rubio. We are also expecting General Kellogg to visit Ukraine soon to further assess the situation and explore pathways to President Trump’s strong solutions, which can be truly peacemaking.
“Of course, we will see more of Putin’s attempts to deceive the world and prolong the war. But real peace is possible—and we must achieve it together: Ukraine, the United States, and Europe. This is about our shared security. Thank you, America!”
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Starmer told BBC News: “This is a once in a generation moment for our national security where we engage with the reality of the world today and the threat we face from Russia.
“It’s clear Europe must take on a greater role in Nato as we work with the United States to secure Ukraine’s future and face down the threat we face from Russia.”
The BBC also quoted Starmer saying Britain would “work to ensure we keep the U.S. and Europe together”, adding the two could not “allow any divisions in the alliance to distract” from “external enemies”.
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and President Zelensky’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, said that they had discussed Kyiv’s vision of a path to peace in Ukraine with China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi.
Sybiha said on X about the meeting that took place on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference.: “We met with China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi together with Andriy Yermak to reaffirm mutual respect for territorial integrity.
“We discussed the development of bilateral relations and trade. We also shared Ukraine’s vision of the path to a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace.”
France is discussing with its allies holding an informal summit of European leaders to discuss Ukraine, and four European diplomats said the meeting was likely to go ahead on Monday.
The BBC reports that Starmer was expected to attend the summit in Paris.