London March 3, 2025 – The Europe Today: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer warned that the West stands at a “crossroads in history” as European leaders convened for a high-stakes summit in London on Sunday. The gathering aimed to shift control of negotiations over the Russia-Ukraine war away from the United States and establish a unified European stance amid deteriorating relations between Kyiv and Washington.
“This is not a moment for more talk. It’s time to act,” Starmer declared after a pivotal day of diplomatic discussions at London’s historic Lancaster House. The urgency of the meeting intensified following a controversial exchange between U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office, which caused alarm in the West and was welcomed by Moscow.
Zelensky and a coalition of European leaders participated in the summit at a critical juncture in the ongoing conflict. Starmer revealed that the UK, in coordination with France and select European nations, is working on a plan to end hostilities, which will eventually be presented to the United States.
French President Emmanuel Macron, in an interview with Le Figaro, elaborated on the plan, stating that France and the United Kingdom have proposed an initial month-long ceasefire in Ukraine. The first phase of the proposed truce would cover air, sea, and energy infrastructure, while the second phase would focus on the situation on the ground.
The initiative appears to be a direct alternative to the peace talks initiated by Trump’s administration with Russia last month. It also signals European leaders’ growing recognition that direct negotiations between Trump and Zelensky could escalate tensions rather than resolve the conflict.
The coming weeks are expected to be crucial in determining whether Europe can take the lead in shaping a diplomatic resolution to the war in Ukraine.
