European leaders gathered in London on Sunday in an effort to mend Ukraine’s relationship with the United States, following a heated disagreement between Presidents Volodymyr Zelensky and Donald Trump last week. They committed to forming a European coalition to develop a plan for ending Ukraine’s conflict with Russia, with the hope of gaining Mr. Trump’s support.
The leaders, who convened at the invitation of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, pledged their support for Ukraine and expressed their desire for Zelensky and Trump to mend their relationship. Starmer emphasized the importance of finding a way to work together and said that Britain and France would collaborate with Zelensky to develop their own plan.
While specifics of the plan remain unclear, Starmer suggested that the Europeans would use it as a basis to persuade Mr. Trump to provide security guarantees. Britain and France have already committed troops to a peacekeeping force and are seeking support from other European countries.
Starmer acknowledged the fragility of the situation and the challenges Europe faces in achieving unity. He also noted that Zelensky himself believes his dispute with Trump is not irreparable.
The leaders in London expressed their support for Ukraine, with Zelensky meeting King Charles III at his country estate. However, it was recognized that keeping the United States involved remains crucial for resolving the crisis.
Mr. Starmer is expected to push for increased military spending from European countries, as Britain has done. The summit provides an opportunity for Starmer to draw closer to Europe and strengthen ties, despite the political sensitivities at home. However, Starmer’s success in integrating Britain’s economy and trade with the European Union is uncertain, and his government’s focus remains on improving the country’s ailing economy.
The current negotiations between Britain and the E.U. on a defense and security agreement are seen as progress, but trade agreements and other issues still pose challenges.
The shock of Mr. Trump’s recent comments about Russia and Ukraine may help remove obstacles in achieving unity among European countries. Despite the efforts to forge a united front, the summit highlighted the difficulties in achieving consensus and the challenges Europe faces in resolving the situation.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/02/world/europe/starmer-zelensky-meeting-europe-ukraine-trump.html
