Three Key Takeaways from Starmer’s "Securing Our Future" Summit on Ukraine’s Security

“The US is an important and reliable ally for us. The discussions we’ve had today, particularly the ‘Coalition of the Willing,’ is on the basis that this is a plan that we will work with the US and that it will have US backing. So that is the purpose of the plan. And that is why I spoke to President Trump last night before we developed the work on this plan,” said Starmer.

Starmer made it clear that any peace deal must be backed by strength, rejecting weak agreements like the Minsk Accords, which Russia has historically violated. “We cannot accept a weak deal like Minsk, which Russia can breach with ease. Instead, any deal must be backed by strength. Every nation must contribute to that in the best way that it can.”

Key takeaways from the summit

1. Europe is committing to large-scale rearmament, both for itself and for Ukraine. Several leaders emphasized the need for long-term military readiness, signaling a shift toward sustained defense investment.

2. New military aid packages for Ukraine are being announced and will continue to be rolled out. The strategy is clear—fortify Ukraine to strengthen its position in any future negotiations.

3. The UK is forming a coalition of nations willing to guarantee Ukraine’s security after a peace agreement. This includes potential troop deployments and aerial defense commitments. Starmer stressed that European security cannot be left to chance.

Looking ahead, the next critical EU meeting on March 6 may shape the financial strategy to support these initiatives.

Meanwhile, Moscow has already voiced its opposition, rejecting any notion of foreign troop deployments. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov previously dismissed the possibility of a ceasefire along the front lines.

Transatlantic coordination

As Starmer prepares for talks with Trump, the UK’s push for a robust, enforceable peace plan underscores a broader realization—Europe is moving toward greater strategic autonomy. The uncertainty in Washington has forced European leaders to take greater initiative in securing Ukraine and their own defense.

The coming weeks will test whether this European-led security push can gain traction—and whether Washington will fully back it.