LONDON: The UK and France are working with Ukraine on a plan to stop the war with Russia, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Sunday. His statement came as European leaders met in London to discuss the ongoing conflict after tensions between Ukraine and the U.S. escalated.

Before the meeting, Starmer urged world leaders to stay united. "After three years of fighting, we need to find a way to bring lasting peace," he told the BBC. "The UK, France, and possibly some others will work with Ukraine on a plan to end the war, and then we’ll discuss it with the United States."

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni agreed, saying, "It is very important that the West remains united." Many of Ukraine’s allies are worried that former U.S. President Donald Trump may not fully support Ukraine in future talks with Russia.

On Saturday, Starmer welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to London and offered a loan to help Ukraine strengthen its military. The meeting in London includes leaders from France, Germany, Denmark, Italy, Turkey, NATO, and the European Union. They will also discuss how Europe can improve its defence as concerns grow over America’s future support for NATO.

Zelensky is also scheduled to meet King Charles III during his visit. Meanwhile, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said Poland could use its strong ties with the U.S. to encourage more American support for Ukraine. According to a statement from Zelensky’s office, their discussions focused on achieving a "fair and lasting peace" that would prevent Russia from using a ceasefire to rebuild its forces and attack again.

The UK and Ukraine also announced a £2.26 billion (USD2.84 billion) loan deal to support Ukraine’s military, which will be repaid using profits from frozen Russian assets.

Tense Exchange Between Zelensky and Trump

Just hours before arriving in London, Zelensky had a heated meeting at the White House. During their Oval Office talks, Trump and Vice President JD Vance accused Zelensky of not being "grateful enough" and rejecting their proposed ceasefire terms. Trump even warned that Ukraine’s stance could lead to World War III.

Zelensky, however, refused to back down, saying Ukraine should not have to compromise with Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war.

Concerns Over Trump’s Stance

Trump’s shifting position on Ukraine has worried European leaders. He has portrayed himself as a neutral mediator between Putin and Zelensky, but many believe he is ignoring Ukraine and Europe while seeking better ties with Russia.

Despite their tense discussion, Zelensky later said Ukraine and the U.S. remain "strategic partners" but need "honest and direct" talks to understand each other’s goals. He also hinted at a possible deal involving Ukraine’s natural resources, which Trump has shown interest in.

Meanwhile, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock criticized Trump, accusing him of treating Russia like a victim instead of the aggressor. The Kremlin welcomed the U.S.’s changing stance, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov saying it "mostly aligns with Russia’s vision."