Sir Keir Starmer hosted a summit in London today
Sir Keir Starmer was asked about the ‘prospects of a UK war with Russia’ after hosting a major summit on Ukraine today.
The Prime Minister unveiled a four-step plan discussed by leaders at Sunday’s Lancaster House meeting, including a pledge to “develop a coalition of the willing” to defend a deal in Ukraine and guarantee a peace settlement.
Addressing journalists after the summit, the Prime Minister warned that the West stands at a “crossroads in history” and announced a £1.6 billion finance deal which will allow Ukraine to buy more than 5,000 missiles, following the gathering at Lancaster House.
Sir Keir told the press conference that “every nation must contribute” in the best way it can and a number of “important steps” were agreed. READ KEY POINTS FROM THE PRESS CONFERENCE HERE.
He said: “First, we will keep the military aid flowing and keep increasing the economic pressure on Russia to strengthen Ukraine now.
“Second, we agreed that any lasting peace must ensure Ukraine’s sovereignty and security, and Ukraine must be at the table.
“Third, in the event of a peace deal, we will keep boosting Ukraine’s own defensive capabilities to deter any future invasion.
“Fourth, we will go further to develop a coalition of the willing to defend a deal in Ukraine and to guarantee the peace.
“Not every nation will feel able to contribute but that can’t mean that we sit back. Instead, those willing will intensify planning now with real urgency. The UK is prepared to back this with boots on the ground and planes in the air, together with others. Europe must do the heavy lifting.”
Asked whether there is now more of a real prospect of Britain being at war with Russia, Sir Keir Starmer said: “The reason I’ve been forward-leaning on this is because I want to avoid conflict, because I do not want conflict in Ukraine, in Europe (…) I want stability in the United Kingdom.
“The way to ensure that stability is to ensure that we are able to defend a deal in Ukraine, because the one thing our history tells us is that if there is conflict in Europe, it will wash up on our shores.
“Already, in the last three years, what’s happened in Ukraine has had a massive impact on many working people back here in the United Kingdom because their bills have gone up, their energy bills have gone up. There’s been an instability in our economy caused by that conflict, so we are not unaffected.”
The Prime Minister added: “And of course, our own security and defence depends on the defence and security of Europe. So every step I am taking is in order to preserve peace, to avoid conflict, because the safety and security of the British people is my number one duty and responsibility, and I take it very seriously.”
Among the attendees at the summit were Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky – who has since flown to Sandringham to meet the King – and French President Emmanuel Macron, who both met US President Donald Trump at the White House this week.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez were also seated around the table of 19 leaders at the gathering in central London.
Sir Keir said that leaders had agreed to “meet again very soon” to keep up work on the plans.
“We are at a crossroads in history today,” he said.
“This is not a moment for more talk. It’s time to act. Time to step up and lead, and to unite, around a new plan for a just and enduring peace.”
