Back to London…

#Starmer opened the #summit of #Europe’s leaders in London w/ #Macron & #Zelensky seated beside him. “We’re gathered here today because this is a once in a generation moment for the #security of Europe, & we all need to step up,” Starmer told the assembled leaders. “Getting a good outcome for #Ukraine is not just a matter of right & wrong, it’s vital for the security of every nation here & many others too.”

#GlobalSecurity #geopolitics #Putin #Russia #expansionism

#Starmer of #Britain held a phone call w/ the leaders of #Estonia, #Latvia & #Lithuania – 3 countries that were not invited to attend Sunday’s #summit – in which he welcomed their support for #Ukraine, Starmer’s office said in a statement. “The Prime Minister updated them on his discussions with the leaders of Ukraine, #France & the #UnitedStates in recent days,” the statement said.

#geopolitics #Zelensky #Putin #Russia #Trump #US #Europe #allies #NATO #ForeignPolicy #RevengePolitics

The #summit meeting has thrust #Starmer into an unaccustomed place for a British prime minister: at the heart of #Europe during a crisis. >8 years after the country voted to leave the #EU, the rapidly changing #security landscape is driving #Britain closer to the continent.

Catherine Ashton, a Briton who served as the EU’s high representative for #ForeignAffairs & security policy, said Starmer’s successful meeting w/ #Trump had reinforced his credentials as a leader for Europe.

#geopolitics

#Starmer said that he, Pres #Zelensky & Pres #Macron of #France had agreed they “would work on a plan for stopping the fighting & then discuss that plan w/the US.” Any #peace agreement “is going to need a US backstop,” Starmer added, saying British & #US teams were discussing the idea.

Sunday’s #summit was first set up to inform European leaders about Starmer’s meeting w/ #Trump. But it gained new importance after Friday, making supporting #Ukraine & beefing up their defenses more critical.

The comments came ahead of a #summit in #London on Sunday, where #Starmer met w/ President Volodymyr #Zelensky of #Ukraine & other European leaders to discuss the #war. The gathering took on greater urgency after Zelensky’s meeting w/ #Trump & #JDVance on Friday raised fears the US would try to strong-arm Ukraine’s president into making a #peace deal on whatever terms the Americans [#Putin] dictated.

#geopolitics #Russia #US #allies #NATO #Europe #ForeignPolicy #RevengePolitics #PutinsPuppet

#egypt #palestine #israel : #gaza / #summit / #arableague / #uno / #ceasefire

„UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Friday stressed that the fragile ceasefire in Gaza must hold, urging all parties to honour their commitments and prevent a breakdown of the agreement.“

https://news.un.org/en/story/2025/02/1160636