London, Mar 03 (V7N) – Tensions between the United States and Europe have escalated following a dispute between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Europe has continued to stand by Zelensky, with the UK taking a prominent role in supporting Ukraine amidst criticism from Trump and his Vice President.

In response to the ongoing war in Ukraine, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has unveiled a four-point program aimed at bringing an end to the conflict and ensuring Ukraine's security. Starmer stated that the UK, France, and other European nations are forming a new alliance to support Ukraine, with the hope of drawing the US into helping secure peace.

At a summit in London on Sunday, March 3, Prime Minister Starmer met with leaders from 18 Western countries to discuss the crisis in Ukraine. The leaders agreed on a four-point plan to address the situation:

  1. Continue military support to Ukraine and increase economic pressure on Russia.
  2. No peace agreement should be signed unless Ukraine’s sovereignty and security are guaranteed.
  3. Ukraine’s participation in negotiations is essential.
  4. After a peace agreement, Ukraine’s defense capabilities should be strengthened to prevent future aggression.

A “Coalition of the Willing” is also proposed to guarantee the implementation of any peace agreement and maintain future peace in Ukraine. However, the specific countries that will be part of this coalition have yet to be disclosed.

Prime Minister Starmer emphasized that the UK will provide $2 billion to Ukraine to purchase 5,000 air defense missiles and €2.2 billion in loans from Russia’s frozen assets. He stressed that any peace agreement with Russia must be strong and durable, rejecting any weak deal that could easily be violated by Russia.

Starmer also called for US support for the peace deal. When asked about Trump’s reliability as a friend of Ukraine, Starmer replied that while no one wants the recent diplomatic fallout, he does not believe the US can be deemed unreliable.

Meanwhile, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz reinforced the need for Ukraine to have a capable military to defend against Russia. He stated that all European nations stand united in supporting Ukraine, rejecting any peace agreement under Russia’s terms.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen echoed similar sentiments, stressing the importance of strengthening Europe’s military capabilities. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni cautioned that any peace agreement must be solid to prevent future violations, and French President Emmanuel Macron advocated for increased defense spending across Europe to match Russia’s military investment.

After the summit, President Zelensky met with King Charles and expressed his optimism about Europe's united stance on Ukraine. He emphasized the need for continued cooperation with the United States to restore peace and security in Ukraine.

As the war in Ukraine continues to unfold, Europe's commitment to supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty remains firm, while diplomatic efforts to secure peace are intensifying.

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