U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has invited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and other key European leaders to a high-level summit on Ukraine and security, set to take place on March 2 in London. The announcement, first reported by AFP on Feb. 28, was confirmed by Starmer’s office.
The summit aims to bolster European support for Ukraine in its ongoing conflict with Russia and strengthen security commitments across the region. The invitation list includes leaders from France, Germany, Denmark, Italy, and Turkey. After Starmer’s meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington, invitations were extended to leaders from the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain, Finland, Sweden, Czechia, and Romania. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and European Council President Antonio Costa are also expected to attend.
Strengthening European Support for Ukraine
According to a statement from Starmer’s office, the prime minister will use the summit to rally European leaders around a shared strategy for Ukraine’s long-term sovereignty and security. The meeting will emphasize military aid, economic sanctions against Russia, and diplomatic initiatives to secure a lasting peace.
“Through this summit, we aim to reinforce our collective commitment to Ukraine, ensuring it receives the necessary support to defend itself and secure a just and enduring peace,” the statement read.
Ahead of the summit, Starmer is scheduled to hold a call with Baltic state representatives in the morning before meeting with Zelensky at Downing Street to discuss the ongoing war. This direct engagement underscores the U.K.’s continued role as a key supporter of Ukraine’s resistance against Russian aggression.
Bilateral Talks with Italy’s Prime Minister
Prior to the summit, Starmer will also meet one-on-one with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. Their discussions will focus on enhancing Ukraine’s defense capabilities, maintaining military aid, and increasing economic pressure on Russia. Italy has been a significant contributor to European efforts in supporting Ukraine and enforcing sanctions against Moscow.
U.S. Involvement and Diplomatic Efforts
While Starmer and European leaders focus on Ukraine’s military and diplomatic strategies, the U.S. is actively engaged in parallel discussions. Former President Donald Trump has been advocating for swift negotiations between Ukraine and Russia to reach a ceasefire. However, no formal peace talks involving both Kyiv and Moscow have taken place. Instead, recent reports indicate that U.S. officials have held direct discussions with Russian representatives, though Ukraine has not been part of these negotiations.
Further strengthening ties between Washington and Kyiv, the U.S. and Ukraine reached an agreement on critical mineral revenues. This agreement, set to be signed by Zelensky during his visit to the White House on Feb. 28, will help bolster Ukraine’s economic stability and resource management amid the ongoing conflict.
A Pivotal Summit for European Security
The upcoming summit in London signals a renewed push by European nations to reinforce Ukraine’s resilience and push back against Russian aggression. With major world leaders and NATO representatives in attendance, the discussions will focus on tangible steps to secure Ukraine’s future while maintaining pressure on Russia through coordinated economic and military measures.
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