Sir Keir Starmer is set to join European leaders at an emergency summit in a ‘once-in-a generation moment’ as Donald Trump pushes for an end to the Ukraine war.
The Prime Minister, who plans to visit Washington later this month, hopes to act as an intermediary between Europe and the US after Trump’s decision to begin negotiations with Vladimir Putin placed pressure on the transatlantic relationship.
French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to gather European counterparts, and Nato secretary general Mark Rutte, for the crisis talks on Monday.
Macron’s diplomatic initiative has yet to be formally confirmed but the PM said he would work to ‘keep the US and Europe together’.
Trump’s special envoy for Russia and Ukraine said on Saturday that European leaders could be sidelined from negotiations on a peace deal, heightening concerns about the possible appeasement of Putin.
And Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelensky has suggested the creation of a new European army if the US cannot be relied on to guarantee the security of the continent.
Sir Keir is expected to relay messages from the meeting to Washington the following week when he meets President Trump.
A further meeting of European leaders, including Zelensky, is expected upon Sir Keir’s returns from the US.
Sir Keir Starmer is set to join European leaders at an emergency summit in a ‘once-in-a generation moment’ as Donald Trump pushes for an end to the Ukraine war
Trump’s decision to begin negotiations with Vladimir Putin placed pressure on the relationship between Europe and the US
The PM said: ‘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 UK will work to ensure we keep the US and Europe together. We cannot allow any divisions in the alliance to distract from the external enemies we face.’
Diplomats and politicians from around the world gathered at the Munich Security Conference, where Macron’s convention of European leaders was first broached.
In his keynote speech, Zelensky said: ‘We can’t rule out the possibility that America might say no to Europe on issues that threaten it.
‘A few days ago, President Trump told me about his conversation with Putin. Not once did he mention that America needs Europe at the table. That says a lot.
‘The old days are over when America supported Europe just because it always had.
‘The time has come. The armed forces of Europe must be created’.
Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelensky has suggested the creation of a new European army if the US cannot be relied on to guarantee the security of the continent
French President Emmanuel Macron is expected to gather European counterparts, and Nato secretary general Mark Rutte, for the crisis talks on Monday
Nato membership for Ukraine could be off the table and Zelensky will have to cede territory to Russia as part of any deal to end the war, according to Washington.
US and Russian officials are expected to hold talks in Saudi Arabia ahead of an anticipated meeting between Trump and Putin.
Zelensky continued: ‘Ukraine will never accept deals made behind our backs without our involvement.’
Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, Keith Kellogg, said European leaders will not be involved in discussions to end the Ukraine war, despite the fact that European forces are likely to play a major role in securing a peace deal.
Retired general Mr Kellogg said the negotiations would be between Russia and Ukraine, with Trump acting as mediator – but Europe would still have a say.
‘To think that he’s going to do this alone is wrong, we never said that,’ Mr Kellogg told the conference.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy urged European nations to do more to support Ukraine, saying the financial cost of failure would be ‘considerably more’ than extra spending to support Kyiv.
And Mr Rutte said European nations ‘have to spend more’ on their own defence.