European Leaders Seek Stronger Support for Ukraine at London Summit

On the eve of the summit, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was welcomed at Downing Street by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The leaders embraced twice in front of cameras as Zelensky secured a loan to strengthen Ukraine’s defense, a critical need after over three years of war against Russia.

"I thank the people and government of the United Kingdom for their tremendous support from the very beginning of this war," Zelensky said. "We are happy to have such strategic partners and to share the same vision of a secure future."

Zelensky was set to meet King Charles III on Sunday before joining European leaders, including those from France, Germany, Denmark, and Italy, as well as representatives from Turkey, NATO, and the European Union, for the security summit. The talks emphasized the need for a "strong, lasting deal" to ensure permanent peace and strengthen security guarantees for Ukraine.

Prime Minister Starmer stressed the importance of unity: "Now is the time for us to unite to guarantee the best outcome for Ukraine, protect European security, and secure our collective future."

In light of growing concerns over US support for NATO, the summit also addressed the need for greater European defense cooperation.

During Zelensky’s visit to London, supporters gathered outside Downing Street, cheering as his convoy arrived. Inside, he and Starmer discussed how to end the war with "a lasting and just peace" and unveiled a $2.84 billion loan to bolster Ukraine's defense capabilities, to be repaid using frozen Russian assets.

Zelensky reiterated his firm stance against negotiating compromises with Russia, especially after a tense confrontation at the White House earlier in the week. There, Trump and Vice President JD Vance accused him of ingratitude and of jeopardizing peace with his refusal to accept US-proposed truce terms.

Trump’s recent statements have raised alarm in Kyiv and among European allies, as he has signaled a shift in US policy towards Ukraine, suggesting a possible rapprochement with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump also claimed he had made significant progress in negotiations to end the conflict, though Zelensky expressed openness to a deal on Ukraine’s mineral wealth, emphasizing the importance of direct and honest communication with the US.

Russia’s former president Dmitry Medvedev dismissed Zelensky’s efforts as a failure, while Germany’s Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock criticized Trump for flipping the roles of victim and aggressor in the conflict. "A new age of infamy has begun," she said, reflecting growing concerns over the shifting dynamics of international support for Ukraine.