British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced the formation of a “coalition of the willing” aimed at drafting a peace plan to end the war in Ukraine. The proposal is intended to be presented to U.S. President Donald Trump for his endorsement. This development comes days after a public dispute between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House signaled a potential rift in Washington’s support for Kyiv.
In contrast, Zelenskyy received reassurances of support from European allies during a hastily organized security summit in London on Sunday. Starmer welcomed Zelenskyy with a hug, emphasizing solidarity.
On Friday, a live broadcast of a meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy quickly turned contentious. Trump repeatedly interrupted the Ukrainian leader, accusing him of “gambling with World War III.” Tensions in the Oval Office followed a war of words between the two leaders, prompting Zelenskyy to cut his U.S. visit short and seek support in Europe.
### What is the “Coalition of the Willing”?
A coalition of the willing refers to a temporary international partnership formed to address a specific issue or achieve a particular goal. In this case, the coalition’s primary objective is to develop a peace plan for Ukraine that offers security guarantees to Kyiv while being acceptable to Trump, who has opposed U.S. or NATO involvement in providing such guarantees.
It remains unclear whether the coalition would oversee the implementation of security guarantees or deploy forces to Ukraine. Unlike formal alliances like the EU or NATO, this coalition is voluntary, with countries joining based on willingness.
### Who is Part of the Coalition?
Starmer confirmed that the UK, France, and other countries would join the coalition, though he did not specify all participants. Leaders and representatives from 12 European nations attended the London summit, including Zelenskyy, French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and others. European Union officials and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte were also present.
### What Prompted Starmer’s Announcement?
The announcement was a direct response to the tensions at the White House on Friday. Timothy Ash, an associate fellow at Chatham House, noted that Europe needed to take a more active role in the peace process. As a non-EU member, the UK positions itself as a bridge between the U.S. and Europe, making Starmer a natural leader in this effort.
Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orbán has been a stumbling block for EU unity on Ukraine, advocating for direct discussions with Russia instead of unconditional support for Kyiv.
### Will the Coalition Help Ukraine?
Ash described Starmer’s efforts as positive, emphasizing the importance of Ukraine’s involvement in peace negotiations, which was not the case during previous U.S.-Russia talks. Zelenskyy expressed confidence in Europe’s support, stating that a durable peace deal must ensure Ukraine continues receiving weapons, a point absent from earlier negotiations.
### Historical Precedents
Coalitions of the willing have been used in the past. In 1999, Australia led a UN-mandated peace mission in East Timor. In 2003, a U.S.-led coalition of 30 countries invaded Iraq without UN approval, later expanding to 38 nations.
### Can the Coalition Succeed Without U.S. Support?
While the coalition can craft a peace plan, both Zelenskyy and Starmer have acknowledged that U.S. backing is essential for its execution. Zelenskyy stressed the need for unity among Ukraine, Europe, and the U.S., while Starmer emphasized the importance of strong American support for the success of the peace effort.
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