These are terrible days. For Ukraine, for Europe and for transatlantic relations, which are presently being tested. After the White home scandal, Europeans must find a way out of the upcoming disaster in defence policy.
At the invitation of British Prime Minister Keira Starmer European leaders met Sunday in London. They wanted to discuss how Europe should deal with the historical crisis that emerged after a public dispute between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenski. “We are at a turning point,” said Starmer in an interview with the BBC.
He added that London and Paris intend to take joint action to stabilise the situation in Kiev. “We agreed that Britain, along with France and possibly 1 or 2 another countries, will work with Ukraine on a plan to end the fighting,” said Starmer. He added that the plan would then be discussed with the US and that it was the consequence of talks with Zelenski, Trump and Macron.
The gathering in London alongside Zelenski was attended by the Heads of State and Government of Germany, France, Poland, Italy, Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Canada, Finland, Sweden, Czech Republic and Romania. besides present were the Turkish abroad Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu, president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, Secretary General of NATO Mark Rutte and president of the European Council Antonio Costa. Zelenski arrived in London on Saturday for a bilateral gathering with Starmer.
Security is at stake for Europe. After a public confrontation with Zelenski, it became doubtful for her whether the US would proceed to supply assistance to Ukraine — and whether they could be seen as a reliable partner.
The gap cannot be filled — for now
The U.S. gives Ukraine the top military support. However, this expenditure is simply a thorn in Trump's eye. Following a heated discussion at the White House, his press secretary Caroline Leavitt announced that Washington would no longer supply Ukraine with military equipment. The primary precedence of the US government is peace negotiations with Russia. “We will no longer issue blank checks for war in a distant country without real and lasting peace,” she said.
Today, however, Europeans cannot fill this gap — either militarily or financially. They are dependent on the US, in peculiar in the field of air defense. “There is no way that the European nations can supply Ukraine with any form of safety warrant without American support,” said John McColl, a erstwhile British Army high-ranking officer, in a conversation with the Times radio.
Without the US, the European deterrent against Russia is besides much weaker. erstwhile NATO advanced Commander James Stavridis even predicted the collapse of the transatlantic defence alliance. “We are witnessing NATO’s last days,” said CNN. — Europe must come up with something — and quickly “He added.
Back to the bottom of the matter
Starmer and Macron understood this — and gave a speech of talk about it. It is no coincidence that a gathering of European leaders took place in London. The UK is now considered the backbone of European safety policy. Since the beginning of the war, London has been a leader — in arms supply, defence budget, and readiness to face a fresh reality. The United Kingdom is besides the second largest European military aid donor to Ukraine after Germany.
TOBY MELVILLE / Pool / AFPKeir Starmer and Volodymyr Zelenski in London, March 2, 2025.
Last week The British government announced that by 2027 it would increase its defence budget to 2.5% of GDP. By 2033 it is expected to increase to 3 percent. This is simply a commitment that many another European partners have not yet made. Prime Minister Starmer wants to show Trump that he takes his own defence capabilities seriously. The president of the United States is demanding that Europeans arm themselves and halt hiding behind the US as a protective power.
Special relations between the British and Americans strengthen Starmer's position as a mediator. He played that function on intent this weekend. During a bilateral gathering with Zelenski in London on Saturday, he stressed that Britain remained firmly on the side of Ukraine. As a sign of this granted a debt to Kiev EUR 2.74 billion (about PLN 11.5 billion) to strengthen his defence.
At the same time, he made it clear that long-term peace is only possible if the US is involved. On BBC air, British Prime Minister stressed that wants to make a "coal of willing", which will engage in the improvement of circumstantial European safety guarantees for Ukraine. Paris and London had already signaled readiness to send soldiers to this country to guarantee peace.
According to their plan, the U.S. should be liable for safety — air surveillance, reconnaissance and military support in case of emergency. That's another reason why It is so crucial to fix transatlantic relations quickly. And that's what Starmer's gonna do.
Referring to the White home scandal after Zelenski met Trump, he said that “no 1 wants to see it.” That's why he picked up the telephone and called both politicians. “My motivation was to reduce to any degree and get back to the bottom of the matter,” said Starmer. The next fewer days will show if he's succeeded.
