European Leaders Converge for Urgent Ukraine Summit Amidst Challenges
European leaders are set to convene in London this Saturday for a crucial summit on Ukraine, organized by UK Labour leader Keir Starmer. The meeting comes in the wake of US President Donald Trump’s outreach to Russia regarding a potential peace agreement, leaving European officials grappling with how to effectively respond. Starmer has extended invitations to over a dozen European leaders, aiming to “accelerate efforts” in bolstering Ukraine’s military capabilities amidst ongoing conflict.
This summit follows a significant diplomatic engagement last week, where Starmer, alongside French President Emmanuel Macron and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, met with Trump at the White House. However, despite these high-profile discussions, European leaders have yet to secure the assurances they seek for Kyiv, particularly concerning a US military support framework for any prospective peacekeeping forces in Ukraine.
Resistance is also emerging within Europe itself concerning Macron and Starmer’s proposal to deploy a European “stabilization” or “reassurance” force, potentially comprising around 30,000 soldiers dedicated to safeguarding Ukraine. Notable attendees of the London summit include Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. This gathering mirrors the informal format of Macron’s previous summit in Paris on February 17.
Challenges of a New Diplomatic Approach
As the summit approaches, a European official expressed concerns, stating, “We are essentially trying to reinvent the wheel with these gatherings. Unlike established NATO or EU summits, the informal nature of the Paris and London meetings means there is no existing framework to implement any joint decisions that may arise.” The official further emphasized, “We have never faced a security crisis of this magnitude, where the US could be a potential impediment to a solution. We must respond swiftly and cohesively, or risk being sidelined.”
Despite the cordial atmosphere during Trump’s discussions with Starmer and Macron, where the President expressed support for European-led peacekeeping initiatives, he stopped short of committing to clear US backing should European troops face aggression from Russia in any demilitarized zones established in Ukraine. American involvement remains critical, as only the United States possesses the requisite resources and logistical capabilities necessary for surveillance, intelligence, and air support to counter any violations of a ceasefire by Moscow.
While European nations might be able to assemble a peacekeeping force with some aerial support, they lack the necessary command and control infrastructure to effectively manage complex air operations over Ukrainian territory. This situation is further complicated by Italian Prime Minister Meloni’s hesitance to endorse the peacekeeping plan. During a recent debrief with fellow EU leaders, she questioned Macron about the authority under which he was discussing the issue during his talks with Trump.
Broader Implications for Defense Spending
The quest for a Ukraine peace deal is intertwined with larger discussions surrounding the increase of defense budgets across Europe. Trump has been vocal about his dissatisfaction with the relatively low defense spending of NATO’s European members and has issued repeated warnings about the potential withdrawal of the US from the alliance. In recognition of the need for Europe to enhance its defense capabilities, Starmer has advocated for increased expenditure, stating, “Europe must step up for the sake of collective security,” a sentiment echoed by other European leaders.
In a significant commitment, Starmer pledged that the UK would allocate 2.5% of its GDP to defense by 2027. Meanwhile, Germany’s likely next chancellor, Friedrich Merz, has also indicated a desire to increase defense spending. Furthermore, the EU is currently exploring a new debt mechanism aimed at generating hundreds of billions of pounds to finance defense initiatives. The London summit is anticipated to address these matters as well, with ongoing negotiations between the EU and UK regarding a security pact initiated last summer. Starmer is particularly eager to ensure that Britain is included in any forthcoming EU joint procurement strategies for military equipment and arms systems.
