British Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced a "coalition of the willing" has accelerated preparations to support Ukraine's security following a potential ceasefire with Russia. The move comes amid U.S. President Donald Trump's push for a peace deal, with Western allies intensifying military and economic coordination.
In a virtual summit involving leaders from Germany, France, Canada, Australia, and NATO, as well as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, participants reaffirmed commitments to sustain military aid and strengthen sanctions against Russia. Notably absent was U.S. representation, highlighting Europe's growing role in underwriting Kyiv's security under Trump's demands.
Key developments:
Defense chiefs will finalize "robust plans" this week in the UK to secure any peace agreement
Britain and France are considering peacekeeping deployments post-ceasefire
Australia expressed openness to participation requests
Russia reiterated opposition to Western military presence in Ukraine
While Moscow has tentatively welcomed Trump's proposal, analysts note its preconditions largely mirror existing war objectives, suggesting protracted negotiations ahead. Starmer emphasized the coalition's dual focus: "We keep tightening restrictions on Russia's economy to weaken Putin's war machine while ensuring Ukraine's future security."
