European Leaders Convene in London to Strengthen Military Cooperation

Amid concerns over the future of US support for Ukraine, European leaders gathered in London on Sunday to discuss strengthening military cooperation, Al Jazeera reports.

The summit, hosted by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, took place shortly after a tense meeting between Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Donald Trump.

European leaders agreed on the necessity of increased defense spending to demonstrate the continent’s ability to protect itself, particularly in light of shifts in US policy. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen suggested the bloc could consider easing debt rules to facilitate increased investment in defense.

Starmer announced that the United Kingdom, Ukraine, France, and other unnamed nations would form a “coalition of the willing” to develop a peace plan for Ukraine, intended to be presented to Trump.

The UK also announced a deal allowing Ukraine to use 1.6 billion pounds ($2 billion) of UK export finance to purchase over 5,000 air defense missiles.

Starmer outlined three elements for a peace deal Europe deems successfull: arming Ukraine, incorporating a European security guarantee, and securing a “US backstop.” He clarified that his call for increased European defense spending was not indicative of a belief that the US had become an unreliable ally, emphasizing the close relationship between the UK and the US.

Representatives from Germany, Denmark, Italy, Turkiye, NATO, and the European Union were present at the summit.

The London summit precedes a meeting in Brussels scheduled for Thursday, where the European Commission is expected to unveil a defense package for Europe.