Starmer Hosts European Summit Following Trump’s Shift Toward Russia

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer gathers European leaders in London to address security concerns as the US signals reduced support for Ukraine.

Keir Starmer invited over a dozen European leaders to London for a summit aimed at strengthening Ukraine's position and coordinating military support.
The meeting follows Starmer’s visit to the White House, where Donald Trump declined to provide a US military backstop for European peacekeeping efforts in Ukraine.
European leaders are increasingly concerned about the US pivot toward improving relations with Russia, signaling a potential withdrawal of American military and economic support.
Macron and Germany’s likely next chancellor, Friedrich Merz, are pushing for a European-led security strategy, including a proposed 30,000-strong peacekeeping force for Ukraine, though internal disagreements persist.
Starmer has committed to raising UK defense spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027, partially funded by cuts to international aid, a decision that has drawn mixed reactions domestically.