LONDON - British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on March 15 that Western allies other than the US were stepping up preparations to support Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire with Russia, with defence chiefs set to firm up “robust plans” next week.

Mr Starmer hosted a virtual meeting to marshal more pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin to accept a ceasefire deal being pushed by US President Donald Trump, and to gather commitments to help secure any agreement - something Mr Trump has made clear he expects Europe to take on.

Around two dozen leaders took part, including those from Germany, France, Italy, Canada and Australia, as well as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Nato’s secretary general - but not the US.

Mr Starmer said the “coalition of the willing” had reaffirmed its commitment both to helping Ukraine resist Russia’s three-year-old invasion and to securing any ceasefire that emerges from Trump’s overtures to Russia.

While Russia has welcomed the ceasefire proposal in principle, it has also set conditions that essentially restate its war aims, suggesting that any agreement will not come quickly.

Mr Starmer told reporters: “We agreed we will keep increasing the pressure on Russia, keep the military aid flowing to Ukraine, and keep tightening restrictions on Russia’s economy to weaken Putin’s war machine and bring him to the table.”

Jolted into action by Mr Trump’s refusal to keep underwriting Europe’s and Ukraine’s security, other Western countries have been forced to step up.

“Our militaries will meet on Thursday this week here in the United Kingdom to put strong and robust plans in place to swing in behind a peace deal and guarantee Ukraine’s future security,” Mr Starmer said.

“President Trump has offered Putin the way forward to a lasting peace. Now we must make this a reality.”

Britain and France both say they could send peacekeepers to Ukraine in the event of a ceasefire. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said his country was also open to requests.

Ceasefire far off

Even if a truce is agreed, though, much remains unclear, including the details of the US position.

Mr Zelensky said he had underlined Ukraine’s need for security guarantees, including the stationin...