UK's Starmer convenes 'coalition of the willing' for second meeting to
discuss Ukraine
[March 15, 2025]
By PAN PYLAS
LONDON (AP) — British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is convening a second
meeting of global leaders Saturday to discuss the developments regarding
the war in Ukraine, following another frantic week of diplomacy aimed at
getting Russia to back a 30-day ceasefire.
Unlike the first summit on March 2, the meeting of what Starmer has
termed the “coalition of the willing” will be conducted virtually. The
call is expected to delve into how countries can help Ukraine militarily
and financially as well as gauging support for any future possible
peacekeeping mission.
“If Russia finally comes to the table, then we must be ready to monitor
a ceasefire to ensure it is a serious, and enduring peace," Starmer is
set to tell leaders, in remarks released by his office ahead of the
meeting. “If they don’t, then we need to strain every sinew to ramp up
economic pressure on Russia to secure an end to this war.”
Around 25 countries are expected to be involved in the call, including
European partners, and Ukraine. Leaders from Australia, Canada, New
Zealand and Ukraine, as well as officials from NATO and the European
Union's executive, are also set to take part.
Like last time, there will be no representative from the United States,
which has shifted its approach on the war since the return of President
Donald Trump to the White House. The change of approach relative to that
taken by Trump’s predecessor, Joe Biden, became particularly notable
after Trump clashed with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Feb.
28 in the Oval Office.
Saturday's meeting takes place in the wake of a U.S. proposal for a
30-day ceasefire in Ukraine, which Zelenskyy has backed.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has indicated that he supported a truce
in principle but has set out a host of details that need to be clarified
before agreeing to a ceasefire. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has
voiced “cautious optimism” about the possibility of Putin, who met with
U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, on Thursday, backing a ceasefire.
Starmer appears to be less optimistic, and is set to tell leaders that
concrete commitments are required now as Putin plays “pointless games”
with Trump’s peace plan.
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Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer departs 10 Downing Street to attend
Prime Minister's Questions at the Houses of Parliament in London,
England, Wednesday, March 12, 2025. (Stefan Rousseau/PA via AP)
“Putin is trying to delay, saying there must be a painstaking study
before a ceasefire can take place. But the world needs to see
action, not a study, or empty words and pointless conditions,”
Starmer said. “The Kremlin’s complete disregard for President
Trump’s ceasefire proposal only serves to demonstrate that Putin is
not serious about peace.”
Starmer has taken the lead, along with French President Emmanuel
Macron, in assembling the “coalition of the willing” in part to
persuade Trump to maintain support for Kyiv. One outcome has already
been a growing acceptance from European countries in particular that
they need to do more secure their own security, including by
increasing their defense spending.
Macron said he had spoken Friday with both Zelenskyy and Starmer
about progress at the U.S.-Ukraine talks earlier this week in
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, which led to Trump resuming military aid and
intelligence sharing with Kyiv.
Saturday's meeting, he said, will "continue to work on reinforcing
the support for Ukraine and toward a solid and lasting peace.”
Ukraine, under severe military pressure on parts of the front line
three years after Russia’s full-scale invasion, has already endorsed
the truce proposal. Russia’s army has gained battlefield momentum,
and analysts say Putin likely will be reluctant to rush into a
ceasefire while he feels he has an advantage.
“My message to the Kremlin could not be clearer: stop the barbaric
attacks on Ukraine, once and for all, and agree to a ceasefire now,”
Starmer said.
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