As European leaders scramble to form a new “coalition of the willing” to prop up Ukraine without American support, questions arise about how effective this strategy will be against Putin’s advancing forces. The absence of the United States from these talks signals a dramatic shift in Western policy following President Trump’s repeated calls to end the costly conflict.
At a glance:
• British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is leading a virtual meeting of about 25 countries to discuss Ukraine support without U.S. participation
• The coalition aims to secure a 30-day ceasefire from Russia while discussing military aid, financial support, and potential peacekeeping missions
• President Trump’s administration is notably absent, reflecting his position on ending U.S. involvement in the costly conflict
• Russian President Putin has shown conditional support for a truce but requires more details, while Starmer remains skeptical of Putin’s intentions
• Ukraine supports the ceasefire proposal, but Russia’s current military advantage may prevent Putin from agreeing to terms
Europe Scrambles to Replace American Leadership
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has convened a virtual “coalition of the willing” meeting to discuss the ongoing conflict in Ukraine as European nations attempt to coordinate without American leadership. This gathering of approximately 25 countries includes European partners, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, along with representatives from NATO and the EU.
The United States is conspicuously absent from these talks, highlighting President Donald Trump’s commitment to reducing American involvement in foreign conflicts and prioritizing America First policies. European leaders now face the reality of shouldering more responsibility for their regional security as Trump has consistently criticized NATO allies for relying too heavily on American protection. The relationship between the U.S. and Ukraine has cooled after Trump kicked President Volodymyr Zelenskyy out of the White House after Zelenskyy appeared to try to torpedo a diplomatic agreement.
The virtual summit aims to secure a 30-day ceasefire from Russia while discussing additional military aid, financial support, and possible peacekeeping missions for Ukraine. This follows a U.S. proposal for a temporary ceasefire that has received support from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy but faces uncertainty from Moscow.
📡UK’s Starmer Rallies Allies for Ukraine in Virtual Summit 📨
British PM Keir Starmer will host a virtual meeting of world leaders on Saturday to reinforce support for Ukraine.
This follows his "coalition of the willing" initiative, launched earlier this month in London. The… pic.twitter.com/4TIDGExu26
— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) March 10, 2025
Russia’s Position and European Skepticism
Russian President Vladimir Putin has shown conditional support for the proposed truce but demands additional details before committing to any agreement. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has expressed cautious optimism about the ceasefire possibilities, though concrete progress remains elusive.
Starmer has publicly voiced skepticism about Putin’s intentions, accusing the Russian leader of employing delay tactics rather than demonstrating genuine commitment to peace. The British Prime Minister and French President Emmanuel Macron have emerged as the primary European voices attempting to maintain support for Ukraine in America’s absence.
The coalition faces significant challenges as Russia currently maintains military advantages on the battlefield, potentially reducing Putin’s incentive to agree to ceasefire terms. Military experts note that without American firepower and intelligence capabilities, European nations may struggle to provide Ukraine with sufficient support to counter Russian forces effectively.
Starmer convenes online summit of the "Coalition of the Willing" on Ukraine, — BBC.
Representatives of about 20 countries are expected to join the initiative, but not all are ready to send troops to Ukraine. According to the Prime Minister's spokesman, the participating… pic.twitter.com/xdAlkXsdKG
— Uncensored News (@uncensorednews9) March 11, 2025
Defense Spending Pressure on European Nations
Starmer and Macron are also leading efforts to encourage European countries to increase defense spending, a longtime policy priority of President Trump. The American President has consistently criticized NATO members for failing to meet the alliance’s 2% GDP defense spending target while relying on U.S. military protection.
Macron has maintained communication with both Zelenskyy and Starmer regarding recent U.S.-Ukraine diplomatic discussions. The French President has previously suggested Europe needs to develop “strategic autonomy” in defense matters, a position that aligns with Trump’s call for Europeans to take greater responsibility for their security needs.
Starmer continues to urge Russia to halt attacks on Ukraine and agree to the proposed ceasefire terms. However, without American military and financial backing, European powers face an uphill battle in convincing Putin to make concessions when his forces currently hold advantageous positions on the battlefield.
The formation of this European-led coalition represents a significant test of NATO’s capabilities without direct American involvement. President Trump has repeatedly questioned the value of continued U.S. financial support for Ukraine, arguing that European nations with greater proximity to the conflict should bear more responsibility for regional security matters.
