But, he added: “The discussions we’ve had today, particularly the coalition of the willing, is on the basis that this is a plan that we will work with, with the U.S., and that it will have U.S. backing.”
“That is the purpose of the plan and that is why I spoke to President Trump last night before we develop the work on this plan.”
Starmer announced before the summit that he and French President Emmanuel Macron would take the lead on coming up with a draft peace plan to bring to Trump.
Zelenskyy was asked to leave the White House on Friday without signing an agreed U.S.-Ukraine minerals deal, which European officials believe would have bound Trump closer to Ukraine’s security.
After the summit, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said “we urgently have to rearm Europe” — and she said she will present a “comprehensive plan” for this at a meeting of European leaders this Thursday.
She added: “It’s basically [about] turning Ukraine into a steel porcupine that is indigestible for potential invaders.”
European leaders will meet in Brussels on Thursday.
Dan Bloom, Clea Caulcutt, Chris Lunday and Nicholas Vinocur contributed to this article.
