In a major display of unity, on Sunday (March 2, 2025) European leaders gathered in London to reaffirm their support for Ukraine as it continues to fight against Russia’s invasion.

Hosted by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the meeting included leaders from France, Poland, Italy, and other European nations, as well as officials from NATO and the European Union. The summit follows concerns over the future of US support for Ukraine after a tense meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Donald Trump last week on Friday.

Ceasefire Plan in the Works

One of the key outcomes of the summit was an agreement between the UK, France, and Ukraine to begin drafting a ceasefire plan. Prime Minister Starmer stated that the goal is to present the plan to the US in the coming days, ensuring a peaceful solution that maintains Ukraine’s sovereignty. “Our focus is clear — ”securing a lasting peace for Ukraine,” Starmer said.

Macron and Meloni Stress Unity

French President Macron speaking to La Tribune Dimanche warned that Russia’s ambitions go beyond Ukraine, suggesting that if Putin is not stopped, other countries in Eastern Europe could be at risk. Meanwhile, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni emphasized the need for Western unity. “It’s important that we stay together,” Meloni said, noting the critical role Europe must play in supporting Ukraine and avoiding division.

According to reports in the public domain, the Italian PM  Meloni and British PM Starmer confirmed that they had spoken with the US President Trump following his tense meeting with the Ukraninan President Zelenskyy.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk also spoke on Europe’s strength, noting that Europe has more than 2.5 million professional soldiers, which is more than the U.S. or Russia. He urged Europe to recognize its military power and continue supporting Ukraine.

Russia Reacts

Russia quickly dismissed talks of European peacekeepers in Ukraine, with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov calling such discussions ‘incitement’ against Russia. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov suggested that US foreign policy may be shifting in a way that aligns more closely with Russia’s views.

Continued Support from Norway and EU

Norwegian Defense Minister Tore Sandvik reaffirmed that Norway will continue its support for US Navy operations, despite reports of private protests. Additionally, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized that Europe must strengthen its own defense capabilities to secure lasting peace.

According to reports, the summit of the European leaders meeting on Sunday was to express their support to Ukraine and focus on strategic planning. As the ceasefire plan takes shape, all eyes will be on how the situation evolves, both diplomatically and on the ground.

Others who were present at the summit included representatives from Finland, Canada, Spain, Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, Romania, Sweden, the Czech Republic, and top European Union officials.