European Leader Coalition Joins Ukraine's Peace Plan, Will Be Offered To America

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy with British PM Keir Starmer and European country leader/DOK PHOTO via Instagram @zelenskyy_official

JAKARTA - British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said European leaders had agreed to draft a Ukraine peace plan to be submitted to the United States.

At a summit in London, just two days after Volodymyr Zelenskyy clashed with US President Donald Trump and shortened his visit to Washington, European leaders showed strong support for the Ukrainian president and promised to do more to help his country.

European leaders agreed they should spend more money on defense to show Trump the continent could protect itself.

The chairman of the European Commission suggested the bloc could relax regulations that limit debt levels.

Starmer, who welcomed Zelenskyy with a warm hug, said Britain, Ukraine, France and several other countries would form a "willing coalition" and draw up a peace plan that Trump would apply.

"This is not the time to talk more. It's time to act. It's time to take action and lead and unite to realize a new plan for a just and lasting peace," Starmer said.

Leaders did not provide details of their plans. Prior to the summit, French President Emmanuel Macron told the Le total newspaper the plan would include a one-month ceasefire that would apply to air and sea strikes but not for ground battles.

European troops will be deployed if a more substantial peace agreement is reached.

It is unclear whether other countries agree to these requirements.

Zelenskyy said after the meeting he left London with clear support from Europe and readiness to work together.

"There will be diplomacy for the sake of peace," he said in a video speech. And for the sake of all of us together Ukraine, all Europe and of course America," continued the President of Ukraine.

Earlier, Zelenskyy told reporters Ukraine would not hand over any territory to Russia as part of a peace agreement and said he was still willing to sign a mineral agreement with the United States.

Zelenskyy believes it can save his relationship with Trump after Friday's fight, but the talks have to be held behind closed doors.

"The format that happened, in my opinion, did not bring anything positive or additional for us as partners," he said.

Europe is working hard to ensure that Kyiv is not included in any negotiations after clashes in the Oval Room raised fears the US could withdraw support for Ukraine and impose a peace plan negotiated with Russia.

Some European leaders say they should step up defense spending something that could help Trump to offer US security guarantees in the event of peace.

"After experiencing a lack of investment for a long time, now the most important thing is to increase defense investment for a long time," said Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission to reporters.

Europe needs to turn Ukraine into a steel hedge that can't be digested by future invaders, he said.