European leaders have agreed to work on a plan to bring the war in Ukraine to an end. The decision follows a meeting of a group of European leaders with Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy in London on Sunday.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer had originally organised the meeting to debrief on his trip to Washington. But the disastrous and very public argument betweeen President Trump and President Zelenskyy in the White House last week created a new sense of emergency back in Europe.
Zelenskyy left the US early after failing to sign a minerals deal with the US and falling out with Trump.
Amongst other complaints, the US administration claimed that Ukraine was not sufficiently grateful for American support.
On top of Trump’s previous threats, that has further fuelled fears that the US could cut off its military and financial aid to Ukraine, which makes up about half of its total international support.
European leaders have been quick to reaffirm their support for Zelenskyy whilst trying not to further attract Trump’s ire.
“We have agreed that the UK, France and others will work with Ukraine on a plan to stop the fighting which we will discuss further with the US and take forward together”, said Downing Street in a statement following the meeting.
“Together, we reaffirmed our determination to work for a permanent peace in Ukraine, in partnership with the United States. Europe’s security is our responsibility above all. We will step up to this historic task and increase our investment in our own defence.”
European Commission President von der Leyen was also at the meeting. She said afterwards that Ukraine should become a “steel porcupine”
“We have to put Ukraine in a position of strength, that it has the means to fortify and protect itself from economic survival to military resilience.
It is basically turning Ukraine into a steel porcupine that is indigestible for potential invaders.”
The Taoiseach was not present in London, but EU leaders will meet in Brussels on Thursday for an emergency summit and Micheál Martin is due to attend.