The ‘Coalition of the Willing’ will meet today as world leaders drive forward action to support a just and enduring peace for Ukraine
Prime Minister Keir Starmer to host around 25 leaders for virtual call in further push for peace
Comes as President Putin tries to play games with President Trump’s peace plan
Keir Starmer will say countries need to strain every sinew to further ramp up economic pressure on Russia and force Putin into negotiations
The ‘Coalition of the Willing’ will meet today as world leaders drive forward action to support a just and enduring peace for Ukraine.
Around 25 countries, including European partners, the EU Commission, NATO, Canada, Ukraine, Australia and New Zealand are expected to join the virtual meeting tomorrow morning.
The Prime Minister will tell leaders that now is the time for concrete commitments as President Putin tries to play pointless games with President Trump’s peace plan.
He will say that countries need to ratchet up economic pressure on Russia, to force Putin into negotiations, in the short term and be prepared to support a just and enduring peace in Ukraine over the long term and continue to ramp up our military support to Ukraine to defend themselves against increasing Russian attacks.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “We can’t allow President Putin to play games with President Trump’s deal. The Kremlin’s complete disregard for President Trump’s ceasefire proposal only serves to demonstrate that Putin is not serious about peace.
“If Russia finally comes to the table, then we must be ready to monitor a ceasefire to ensure it is a serious, and enduring peace, if they don’t, then we need to strain every sinew to ramp up economic pressure on Russia to secure an end to this war.
“Putin is trying to delay, saying there must be a painstaking study before a ceasefire can take place, but the world needs to see action, not a study or empty words and pointless conditions.
“My message to the Kremlin could not be clearer: stop the barbaric attacks on Ukraine, once and for all, and agree to a ceasefire now.
“Until then we will keep working around the clock to deliver peace.”
The call is expected to delve further into how countries plan to contribute to the Coalition of the Willing, ahead of a military planning session being held next week.
During the session tomorrow morning, leaders are expected to receive an update on progress made at a Chiefs of Defence meeting held in Paris on Tuesday, and updates from countries on efforts to unlock further military aid for Ukraine. The Prime Minister will also pay tribute to the collective European efforts to step up.
The call follows a week of intensive diplomacy by UK ministers after the Defence Secretary travelled to Paris to meet counterparts from Germany, France, Poland and Italy, and the Foreign Secretary travelled to Canada for G7 Foreign Ministers.
It also follows the Prime Minister’s Lancaster House Summit held a fortnight ago, where he again made clear that we must protect our country in a dangerous new era, and deliver on the foundation of security in the government’s Plan for Change.
The government has already accelerated that work, announcing an increase in defence spending to 2.5% of GDP from 2027, with an ambition to reach 3% in the next parliament.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s opening remarks at the White House press conference
Thank you very much, Mr President. Thank you for your hospitality, thank you for your leadership. This has been a very good and very productive visit.
And with your family roots in Scotland, and your close bond with His Majesty the King, it’s good to know that the United Kingdom has a true friend in the Oval Office.
And it was so good to see the bust of Winston Churchill back in its rightful place just a moment ago.
But look, in a moment of real danger around the world this relationship matters more than ever. We remain each other’s first partner in defence ready to come to the other’s aid to counter threats, wherever and whenever they may arise.
No two militaries are more intertwined than ours. No two countries have done more together to keep people safe.
And in a few weeks’ time we’ll mark VE Day The 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe. Britain and America fought side-by-side to make that happen – one of the greatest moments in our history.
We stand side-by-side still, today and we’re focused now on bringing an enduring end to the barbaric war in Ukraine.
Mr President, I welcome your deep, personal commitment to bring peace and stop the killing. You have created a moment of tremendous opportunity to reach an historic peace deal – a deal that would be celebrated in Ukraine and around the world.
That is the prize.
But we have to get it right. There’s a famous slogan in the United Kingdom, from after the Second World War – that is that we have to “win the peace.” And that’s what we must do now.
Because it can’t be a peace that rewards the aggressor. Or that gives succour to regimes like Iran.
We agree – history must be on the side of the peacemaker, not the invader. So the stakes, they could not be higher.
And we’re determined to work together to deliver a good deal. We’ve discussed a plan today to reach a peace that is tough and fair – that Ukraine will help to shape – that is backed by strength – to stop Putin coming back for more.
And I am working closely with other European leaders on this. And I am clear – that the UK is ready to put boots on the ground and planes in the air to support a deal. Working together with our allies, because that is the only way that peace that will last.
Mr President, in this new era, you’re also right that Europe must step up. And let me tell you now – I see the growing threats we face and so the UK is all in.
This year we will be giving more military aid to Ukraine than ever. And just this week I have set out how we are shouldering more of the security burden. We’re already one of the biggest spenders in NATO and now we are going much further, delivering Britain’s biggest sustained increase in defence spending since the Cold War.
This isn’t just talk – it’s action. Rebalancing the transatlantic alliance, making us all stronger and standing up for our shared values and shared security. As Britain always has.
Now, Mr President, it’s no secret we’re from different political traditions but there is a lot that we have in common. We believe it’s not taking part that counts – what counts is winning. If you don’t win – you don’t deliver.
And we’re determined to deliver for the working people of Britain and America – who want – and deserve – to see their lives improve. So we’re both in a hurry to get things done.
And that’s what the UK and the US do when we work together: we win – and we get things done.
So we’ll do what it takes to keep our people safe. We will also work together to deliver some big economic wins that can benefit us both.
We have $1.5 trillion invested in each other’s economies, creating over 2.5 million jobs across both economies.
Our trading relationship is not just strong – it is fair, balanced and reciprocal.
We’re leaders together in so many areas: Ranked one and two in the world as investment destinations…one and two for universities…One and two for Nobel prizes…One and two in golf, as well – by the way…
And we’re the only two western countries with trillion dollar tech sectors – Leaders in AI and look, we take a similar approach on this issue.
Instead of over-regulating these new technologies we’re seizing the opportunities they offer. So we have decided today to go further to begin work on a new economic deal with advanced technology at its core.
Look – our two nations, together shaped the great technological innovations of the last century. We have a chance now to do the same for the 21st century.
I mean – artificial intelligence could cure cancer that could be a moonshot for our age and that’s how we will keep delivering for our people.
There are so many opportunities.
Keep our nations strong and fulfil the promise of greatness that has always defined this relationship.
Finally, to underline the importance of this bond, it was my privilege and honour to bring a letter with me today – from His Majesty the King.
Not only sending his best wishes, but also inviting the President and the First Lady to make a State Visit to the United Kingdom: an unprecedented second State Visit – this has never happened before.
It’s so incredible it will be historic.
And I’m delighted that I can go back to His Majesty The King and tell him that President Trump has accepted the invitation.
So thank you. Our teams will now work together to set a date.
Mr President, we look forward to welcoming you in the United Kingdom.
Thank you once again.
PM meeting with President Trump
Prime Minister Keir Starmer and President of the United States Donald Trump met today in the White House.
The leaders discussed the depth of the special relationship between their two nations and their commitment to shared security and prosperity.
They spoke about the fair, balanced and reciprocal economic relationship that the two countries enjoy. They agreed their teams should work together to deepen this relationship, and to work together to agree a trade deal focused on tech.
On defence and security, they agreed that the strength of the UK and US’s intelligence and defence relationship is unrivalled. The Prime Minister underlined the announcement he made this week to increase defence spending to 2.5%
The leaders agreed that on Ukraine, talks must work towards a lasting peace. The Prime Minister said the UK is ready to play a leadership role on supporting Ukraine’s future security. They discussed their shared commitment to a ‘peace through strength’ approach and that their teams should collaborate on this.
The President accepted an invitation on behalf of His Majesty The King for an unprecedented second State Visit to the United Kingdom.
