trying to take control of Ukraine's peace negotiation? Will Putin negotiate with them without trump's blessing? Of course Europe wants trump's cooperation but if he refuses? He won't like being second seat and it could jeopardize his rare earth boondoggle.
Europe seeks to take control of Ukraine negotiations, after Zelensky’s nightmare Trump visit sparks panic
By Rob Picheta, CNN
Updated: 11:00 AM EST, Sun March 2, 2025
Source: CNN
Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer sought to wrestle control of negotiations over the Russia-Ukraine war away from the US on Sunday, hosting dozens of European leaders and outlining a pathway towards peace on a pivotal day of diplomacy in London.
Starmer is hosting a summit in London’s ornate Lancaster House, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and an ensemble of European leaders in attendance, at a moment of intense anxiety in the conflict.
Leaders are hoping to revive the prospects of an acceptable peace deal after US President Donald Trump chastised Zelensky in the Oval Office, appalling the West and delighting Moscow in the process.
Starmer told the BBC that Britain would work with France, and “possibly one or two others,” on crafting a plan to stop the fighting in Ukraine, and then “discuss that plan with the United States.”
The process seems destined to rival the negotiation process that Trump’s administration opened with Russia last month, and suggests a tacit acceptance that bringing Trump and Zelensky to the negotiating table together could result in tensions combusting once more.
Zelensky enjoyed a heartfelt welcome from Starmer on Saturday that could not be more different than the reception he endured at the White House. King Charles has also accepted an invitation to meet Zelensky on Sunday, the Ukrainian leader said, and Britons lined the streets of Westminster to cheer Zelensky’s motorcade as it drove to Number Ten.
But between niceties, a crucial day of diplomacy looms. The West hopes Sunday’s summit will revive momentum in a peace process that appeared to be slowly building this week, only to come crashing down in a nasty few minutes on Friday.
Already, Ukraine’s leader will return to Kyiv with something tangible: on Saturday, he and Starmer signed an agreement to accelerate $2.8 billion worth of loans to Ukraine. The first tranche of funding is expected to be disbursed next week, according to the UK government.
In a Telegram post on Saturday, Zelensky said “the money will go toward the production of weapons in Ukraine. This is the fair way: the one who started the war should pay.” He added that “the loan will strengthen our defense capabilities.”
‘Nobody wants to see that’
The earlier spectacle of the American president and vice president berating the leader of a war-torn ally added intensity to Sunday’s summit, which had initially been convened by Starmer to build on the progress achieved during a similar meeting in Paris last weekend.
Trump and JD Vance accused Zelensky of being ungrateful for American military support, for “gambling with the lives of millions of people,” and risking “World War III” by fighting Russia’s invading army in his country.
The scenes were Europe’s worst nightmare. “Nobody wants to see that,” Starmer told the BBC on Sunday. He said he “hit the phones” as soon as he watched the furious argument, adding: “My driving purpose has been to bridge this.”
A day before the angry exchange, a chummy Starmer managed to get Trump to walk back previous false remarks that Zelensky was a “dictator,” voice his “respect” for Ukraine’s leader and even raise the possibility that Ukraine would claw back occupied territory from Russia in a ceasefire deal. All of those comments were notable reversals from Trump, and seemed to set the table well for Zelensky’s trip.
Now Europe is starting from square one again.
“Three years on from Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine, we are at a turning point. Today I will reaffirm my unwavering support for Ukraine and double down on my commitment to provide capacity, training and aid to Ukraine, putting it in the strongest possible position,” Starmer said in a statement ahead of the London summit.
‘A once-in-a-generation moment’
“We gather here today because this is a once-in-a-generation moment for the security of Europe and we all need to step up,” Starmer told leaders as he opened Sunday’s summit.
The meeting will have three goals, Downing Street said: Ukraine’s short-term needs, securing a “lasting deal” to end the conflict, and “planning for strong security guarantees.”
“I hope you know that we are all with you and the people of Ukraine for as long as it takes, everyone around this table,” Starmer told Zelensky during his opening remarks.
French President Emmanuel Macron, Canada’s outgoing leader Justin Trudeau, and the heads of several European countries, the European Union and NATO are all present.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni told Starmer on Sunday it is “very, very important that we avoid the risk that the West divides” over the war in Ukraine.
The two leaders may prove vital in corralling a peace process; both have developed strong relationships with Trump, and will be expected to use that influence to convince the president to listen to Europe’s proposals.