British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is convening a summit in London with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and key international allies to advocate for increased supplies of long-range missiles to Ukraine, aiming to enhance Kyiv’s ability to counter Russian forces. The gathering, known as the “coalition of the willing,” seeks to bolster military support and discuss security guarantees for Ukraine amid ongoing conflict.
The summit brings together over 20 of Ukraine’s staunchest supporters, including NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Denmark’s Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, and the Netherlands’ Prime Minister Dick Schoof, who are attending in person. Other leaders, such as French President Emmanuel Macron, are participating via video link, highlighting the broad international commitment to Ukraine’s defence. Starmer’s push for more long-range capabilities comes as Ukraine demonstrates the effectiveness of such weapons, notably in recent strikes using British-supplied Storm Shadow missiles.
Zelensky’s attendance follows a week of diplomatic activity, including meetings with EU leaders in Brussels where he secured pledges for financial support but fell short of obtaining long-range Tomahawk missiles from the United States. The Ukrainian president has been urgently requesting these weapons to target Russian logistics and command centers deep behind enemy lines, arguing that they are essential for maintaining battlefield momentum. Russia has warned that providing such missiles could escalate the conflict, but Western allies appear undeterred.
In addition to missile discussions, the London summit will address economic measures to pressure Moscow. Starmer is expected to urge allies to finalize plans for using frozen Russian assets to provide financial loans to Ukraine, a proposal that faced resistance at the EU summit. While EU leaders committed to covering Ukraine’s financial needs for the next two years, they did not approve a specific €140 billion loan backed by frozen assets, citing legal and political hurdles.
The context of the war remains grim, with Russia controlling approximately 20% of Ukrainian territory and continuing deadly attacks, including a recent strike on a nursery in Kharkiv that killed children. Starmer condemned these actions, stating that Putin has repeatedly rejected peace proposals, underscoring the necessity of sustained military and economic pressure. The UK prime minister announced that 100 additional air defence missiles will be delivered to Ukraine ahead of schedule, part of a £1.6 billion deal to strengthen Kyiv’s defences.
International efforts to isolate Russia are intensifying, with the US imposing new sanctions on Russian oil giants Rosneft and Lukoil, and the EU working to reduce dependence on Russian energy. However, achieving consensus on leveraging frozen assets remains challenging, as countries like Belgium oppose seizing the funds directly. Despite these obstacles, the collective aim is to cripple Russia’s war economy and push towards ceasefire negotiations.
The outcomes of the London summit could shape future Western strategy, with leaders hoping that combined military aid and economic sanctions will compel Moscow to engage in peace talks. Zelensky’s persistent appeals reflect the critical nature of the conflict, now in its fourth year, and the ongoing need for robust international support to ensure Ukraine’s sovereignty and security.