'Once in a generation moment': Starmer warns against NATO division ahead of emergency summit on Ukraine
15 February 2025, 21:42 | Updated: 16 February 2025, 09:03
Keir Starmer has called on the UK, US and Europe to work together amid NATO divisions - with initial Ukraine peace talks set to take place in Saudi Arabia.
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It's thought French President Emmanuel Macron has called an emergency summit with European leaders to discuss concerns that the continent is being excluded from the process.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who is set to attend, said: “This is a once in a generation moment for our national security where we engage with the reality of the world today and the threat we face from Russia."
"It’s clear Europe must take a greater role in NATO as we work with the United States to secure Ukraine’s future and face down the threat we face from Russia. The UK will work to ensure we keep the US and Europe together."
"We cannot allow any divisions in the alliance to distract from the external enemies we face.”
The summit is thought to be taking place in Paris on Monday.
Zelensky says he thinks Putin could be preparing war against Nato countries next year
It comes as US Special Presidential Envoy for Ukraine and Russia - Keith Kellogg - has said that Europe will not have a final say in the conflict's resolution.
When asked at the Munich Security Conference if Europe will be included in talks, Kellogg said: 'that is not going to happen'.
He added: "To my European friends, I would say: get into the debate, not by complaining that you might, yes or no, be at the table, but by coming up with concrete proposals, ideas, ramp up spending."
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said there is "no time to lose".
Speaking at the conference, he said: "Europe urgently needs its own plan of action concerning Ukraine and our security, or else other global players will decide about our future. Not necessarily in line with our own interest.
"This plan must be prepared now".
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy added: "I believe the time has come to create an armed forces of Europe. Money alone will not stop an enemy assault.
"It is not just about budgets, it is about people realising they need to defend their own home."
He went on: "Decisions about Europe are made in Europe."
Referencing Donald Trump's plan to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, he continued: "Ukraine will never accept deals made behind our backs without our involvement, and the same rule should apply to all of Europe,
"A few days ago, President Trump told me about his conversation with Putin. Not once did he mention that America needs Europe at the table. That says a lot.
"The old days are over when America supported Europe just because it always had."
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Earlier, it was announced that two senior US officials are initiating peace talks between Russia and Ukraine.
According to NBC News, two sources familiar with the matter reported that special envoy Steve Witkoff and national security adviser Mike Waltz are heading to Saudi Arabia for discussions.
On Wednesday, Trump said there was an agreement to begin negotiations, after speaking to both Putin and President Zelenskyy.
Following his phone call with Putin, Trump posted on Truth Social: "We both agreed, we want to stop the millions of deaths taking place in the War with Russia/Ukraine."
Zelenskyy wrote on X that he has a "meaningful conversation" with Trump to discuss "opportunities to achieve peace".
He added that the main issue was to "not allow everything to go according to Putin's plan", after Trump said it was unlikely that Ukraine would claim back all of the land occupied by Russia.
