Kiev's allies from a number of European countries gathered at a summit in London, organized by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, world agencies reported, quoted by BTA.
At the beginning of the forum, Starmer told the leaders of about 15 countries that Europe is now going through a unique moment for its security.
The summit, which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky also participated in, aims to consider new guarantees for security in Europe in the face of fears that the continent will be abandoned by Washington. These concerns have been heightened after the stormy scene that unfolded in the Oval Office of the White House on Friday between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky.
Among the participants in the meeting in London are French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, the prime ministers of Poland, the Czech Republic, Norway, Sweden, the Netherlands, Spain, Denmark, the acting president of Romania and Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, as well as the heads of the European Commission, the European Council and NATO. The summit in London today is also attended by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, whose country holds the rotating presidency of the G7 this year.
This forum precedes the extraordinary European Council on March 6, dedicated to Ukraine and strengthening European defense capabilities.
Yesterday, before the opening of the summit in London, the British Prime Minister met with the Ukrainian president, and today with the Italian Prime Minister, who in turn had a separate meeting with Zelensky today.
Starmer also announced that the UK, together with France and perhaps one or two other countries, will work on a plan to end the fighting between Ukraine and Russia, and then discuss this plan with the United States. According to London, which signed a loan agreement to support Ukraine's defense capacity worth 2.74 billion euros yesterday, discussions today in London will concern the continuation of military support for Kiev and the increased economic pressure on Russia.
"Everyone in Europe must do more to support Ukraine", NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said in “Ex“ before the start of the meeting.
The participants will also discuss the need for Europe to play its role in the defense sector and the future stages of planning solid guarantees for the continent's security in the face of the risk of the withdrawal of the American military and nuclear umbrella.