At Key Ukraine War Summit, UK’s Kier Starmer Pledges £1.6B For Air Defense Missiles, Calls US ‘Reliable’ Ally

British PM urges European leaders to strengthen defense for stability and support for Ukraine amid the ongoing war with Russia.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called on European leaders to strengthen defense for stability and support for Ukraine.

Source : X/@Keir_Starmer

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called on European leaders to step up their defence efforts to help peace in Ukraine and also stability across the continent. He remarked during the summit staged as a show of support for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. 

The Ukrainian President, who was publicly berated by US President Donald Trump at a White House meeting, was embraced in turn by the European leaders at the summit who pledged their backing, reported Reuters.  

The British PM stressed that Europe needed to meet a once-in-a-generation challenge. 

"Getting a good outcome for Ukraine is not just a matter of right and wrong, it is vital for the security of every nation here and many others, too," Starmer said at the beginning of the meeting. 

Starmer also said the UK will use 1.6 billion pounds ($2 billion) in export financing to supply 5,000 air defense missiles for Ukraine.

Important To Avoid Risk That The West Divides Over Ukraine: Meloni 

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni emphasised that it was "very, very important" to avoid the "risk that the West divides" over Ukraine. "It is very, very important that we avoid the risk that the West divides and I think on this, the UK and Italy can play an important role in bridge-building," she said as she met with Starmer at Downing Street. 

Meloni also met with Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the summit, reported AFP. 

Nato chief Mark Rutte said more European countries will ramp up defence spending, adding that the US is "committed" to the alliance. 

Starmer Lists Four Steps Agreed During Meeting 

Starmer said that any new deal to support Ukraine must be backed by strength, and every nation must contribute in the best way it can, by taking all responsibility and stepping up their own share, reported BBC. 

He shared four steps that the leaders agreed upon during the summit which include keeping military aid flowing into Ukraine and increasing economic pressure on Russia.