UK, France agree to work with Ukraine to cease -the Furenplan

London (AP) -Great -Britain, France and Ukraine have agreed to work to a cease -the Fire Plan to present to the United States, said British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Sunday when he prepared to organize a top of European leaders to end the end of the war.

The top is overshadowed by the extraordinary swearing by us President Donald Trump from the Ukrainian president VolodyMyr Zenskyy In the White House on Friday because they are thankless for American support in the fight of Ukraine against the invasion of Russia.

But Starmer said he was concentrated on a bridge to restore peace talks and he used the collapse of those conversations as an opportunity to go back to Trump and Zenskyy and French President Emmanuel Macron Instead of “Retoric.”

“We are now talking that the United Kingdom, together with France and possibly one or two others, will work with Ukraine on a plan to stop the fighting, and then we will discuss that plan with the United States,” Starmer told the BBC. Starmer and Macron have both spoken with Trump since Friday.

The London meeting has gained greater importance to defend the war torn by war and to strengthen the defense of the continent.

Sunday’s top is likely to include conversations about setting up a European military force that is sent to Ukraine to support a ceasefiring. Starmer said it would be “a coalition of the willingness”.

Starmer said he does not trust Russian President Vladimir Putin, but Trump trusts.

“Do I believe Donald Trump when he says he wants lasting peace? The answer is yes, “he said.

Starmer said there are “intense discussions” to get a security guarantee of the US as one of the three components for a lasting peace.

“If there is a deal, if a stop of the fighting has to be stopped, then that agreement must be defended, because the worst of all the results is that there is a temporary break and then (Russian President Vladimir) Putin comes again,” Starmer said. “That happened in the past, I think it is a real risk, and that is why we must ensure that if there is a deal, it is a permanent deal, not a temporary break.”

The meeting in Lancaster House, a 200-year-old elegant mansion near Buckingham Palace, follows a charm-offensive last week to get in touch with Trump in the White House to put Ukraine in the center of negotiations and tilt his loyalty to Europe.

The top will also include leaders from France, Germany, Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain, Canada, Finland, Sweden, the Czech Republic and Romania. The Turkish Foreign Minister, NATO Secretary General and the Presidents of the European Commission and the European Council will also be present.

Zenskyy received broad support from leaders throughout Europe after the fiasco from the White House, which was exceptional for carrying out an attack on a ally – and because it was broadcast on live television.

Starmer embraced Zenskyy When he arrived on Saturday for a private meeting and a day before a meeting was planned before the top.

“As you heard of the cheers on the street outside, you have full support in the United Kingdom,” said Starmer. “We are with you, with Ukraine, as long as it can take.”

Europe has been anxious since Trump initiated direct peace talks with Putin, who was isolated by most Western leaders since the invading of Ukraine three years ago. The climb to remain relevant and protect the European interests, because their once steadfast ally seemed to be cozing to Putin was even more disturbing when Trump called Zenskyy a dictator And said Ukraine wrongly started the war.

Meetings in recent days had yielded some hope – until Zenskyy’s visit to the White House.

Visits to the Oval Office by Macron, who had declared his visit a ‘turning point’, and Starmer were seen as steps in the right direction. The meetings were warm and Trump even took a softer tone against Ukraine, although he would not commit to offer American security guarantees and that Europe should provide for peace groups.

Within 12 hours after the return of Starmer from Washington, the conversation of peace seemed to collapse when vice -president JD Vance Zenskyy came out for challenging Trump’s claims that Russian President Vladimir Putin could be trusted.

“Starmer has done an impressive work by claiming the Europe Office in the war against Ukraine and to transfer to President Trump that Europe is prepared and able to play a leading role in the implementation of every credible peace agreement,” said Rachel Ellehuus, director-general of Royal United Services. “Unfortunately, Friday’s white house meeting was a big step back.”

Ukraine can no longer count on military or political support from the US after Trump declared himself neutral in negotiations, said Ellehuus. She said that Europe should intervene and be able to release around 200 billion euros ($ 207 billion) in occupied Russian assets to finance that effort.

“The immediate purpose of the meetings in London must be to keep Ukraine in battle so that it can negotiate from a maximum power position,” she said.

Starter promised this week to stimulate military expenses Up to 2.5% of the gross domestic product by 2027. Other European countries can follow this example.

Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala said on Saturday that Europe is confronted with a historical test and must take care of himself. He said that European countries should increase their arms issues in order to reach at least 3% of GDP.

“If we do not increase our efforts quickly enough and let the aggressor dictate the conditions, we will not end well,” he said.

Macron, who said it was legitimate for the US to shift his focus to dealing with China and Asia, also called for more defense issues when he called on unity among his neighbors.

“We should have woken up earlier,” said Macron. “I have been saying for years that we need a more sovereign, more united, more independent Europe.”

Associated Press writers Jill Lawless in London, Karel Janicek in Prague and Samuel Petrequin have contributed.