- The United Kingdom announced it will give Ukraine 1.6 billion pounds ($2 billion) to supply Ukraine with air defense missiles. This announcement follows a meeting of European leaders to discuss an end to the war.
- U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the country would provide the missiles through export financing, and emphasized the importance of restoring peace talks despite recent tensions with the U.S.
- Sunday’s summit included discussions on larger European support for Ukraine, a potential European military force and a ceasefire deal to present to Russia and the United States.
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The United Kingdom announced it will give Ukraine 1.6 billion pounds ($2 billion) to supply Ukraine with air defense missiles. The announcement follows a meeting of European leaders to discuss an end to the war.
U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the country would provide the missiles to Ukraine through export financing.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in Britain on Saturday, March 1. Before arriving in Britain, Zelenskyy visited the U.S. to sign a deal with President Donald Trump that involved security guarantees and Ukraine’s rare earth minerals. However, the deal was never signed after a heated and at times hostile Oval Office meeting.
Despite the recent tension, Starmer said he was focused on being a bridge to restore peace talks and still sees the U.S. as a reliable ally. He said there weren’t two countries more aligned than the U.S. and the U.K.
What happened in the Oval Office?
On Friday, Feb. 28, a meeting between Trump, Zelenskyy, Vice President JD Vance and the media, became heated after Trump and Vance said Zelenskyy was ungrateful for the U.S. aid he’s received.
Despite thanking them both during the Oval Office discussion, Trump and Vance both said Zelenksyy had disrespected them during the meeting. Trump said on a Truth Social post that Zelenskyy can come back when he wants to discuss peace.
Following this meeting, several European leaders criticized Trump for the Oval Office visit. European Union Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas went as far as to say that the free world “needs a new leader.”
What was discussed at the summit?
Sunday’s summit consisted of talks on larger European support for Ukraine and talks of a European military force that would be sent to Ukraine to ensure a ceasefire.
Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron both said European countries need to boost military spending. On Tuesday, Feb. 25, Starmer announced the U.K. would increase its military spending to 2.5% of its gross domestic product. The country currently spends 2.3%.
Numerous countries and groups attended Sunday’s meeting including, France, Germany, Denmark, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain, Canada, Finland, Sweden, the Czech Republic and Romania.
The world leaders also discussed a ceasefire deal they can present to Russia and the United States, who are discussing a separate end to Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Starmer said he also wants to continue to work closely with the U.S., despite the recent tension. He said he trusts Trump when he says he wants peace in Ukraine.
“Do I believe Donald Trump when he says he wants lasting peace? The answer to that is yes,” he said.
