European leaders look to boost support for Ukraine at London summit

Over a dozen European leaders will meet in London on Sunday for crisis talks, hoping to boost security cooperation and support for Ukraine after an astonishing blowout between Kyiv and Washington.

Ukraine's allies have been underscoring their steadfast commitment to counter growing concerns that U.S. President Donald Trump is about to sell Kyiv short in negotiations with Russia.

The day after he left the White House under a cloud after a public disagreement with Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was warmly welcomed to Downing Street on Saturday with a hug from UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer who announced a $3.3 billion loan for Ukrainian military supplies.

"We are happy to have such strategic partners and to share the same vision of what a secure future should look like for all," said Zelenskyy, who will also meet King Charles III at the monarch's Sandringham estate in Norfolk before Sunday's security summit. 

The meeting in the UK capital brings together leaders from around Europe, including France, Germany, Denmark and Italy, as well as Türkiye, NATO and the EU.

"Now is the time for us to unite in order to guarantee the best outcome for Ukraine, protect European security, and secure our collective future," Starmer said.

Downing Street said Sunday's summit would again stress the need for a "strong lasting deal that delivers a permanent peace" and discuss "next steps on planning for strong security guarantees."

On Sunday morning, Starmer said conversations with Zelenskyy, Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron had led to an agreement that the UK - along with France and "possibly one or two others" - will work with Ukraine on a "plan to stop the fighting and then we'll discuss that plan with the United States."

"I think we've got a step in the right direction", Starmer told the BBC.

Ahead of the meeting, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni stated her intentions to propose an immediate U.S.-Europe summit to discuss Ukraine. Poland's Prime Minister Donald Tusk said he would back this. 

With fears growing over whether the U.S will continue to support NATO, the gathering in the UK will also address the need for Europe to increase defense cooperation.

Zelenskyy will be desperate for more positive news to come out of the European gathering, just 36 hours after his explosive showdown with Trump and U.S. Vice President JD Vance in the White House. 

As cameras rolled in the Oval Office, Trump and Vance angrily accused Zelenskyy of not being "thankful" and refusing to accept their proposed truce terms.

Trump also accused him of ingratitude and gambling with the potential of World War III.

Zelenskyy meanwhile insisted there should be "no compromises" with Putin as the parties negotiate to end the conflict. He did also stress that he hoped to repair relations with the Trump administration.