European leaders gathered at a security-focused summit in the U.K., expressing strong support for Ukraine and concerns about the potential re-election of Donald Trump in the U.S.
The newly elected U.K. Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, hosted around 45 heads of government at Blenheim Palace, the birthplace of Winston Churchill, to discuss issues including migration, energy security, and the threat from Russia. Starmer emphasized the importance of unified support for Ukraine and the shared European values at risk from Russian aggression.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was a central figure at the summit, which aimed to bolster Europe’s backing for Ukraine and address challenges such as cyberattacks and disinformation attributed to Moscow.
Zelenskyy is set to address Starmer’s Cabinet, signaling the Labour Party’s continued commitment to Ukraine’s defense. The summit also featured notable leaders like German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, French President Emmanuel Macron, and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg.
The European Political Community (EPC), established by Macron in 2022, served as the forum for the summit, reflecting Europe’s heightened security concerns post-Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The EPC plans to hold future summits in Hungary, Albania, and Denmark. Starmer’s government seeks to mend strained U.K.-EU relations post-Brexit, with a priority on securing a new U.K.-EU security pact. European Council President Charles Michel expressed optimism for renewed cooperation with the U.K.
Starmer assured that the U.K. would remain a proactive international partner, despite not being part of the EU. He reaffirmed the U.K.’s commitment to the European Convention on Human Rights and announced plans for closer collaboration with Europol to combat people smuggling. He criticized the previous Conservative government’s Rwanda plan for migrants as a “gimmick” and called for a unified European approach to address the migration crisis.
European Leaders Back Ukraine at UK Summit, Voice Concerns Over Potential Trump Re-Election
During a dinner with Macron, Starmer discussed efforts to prevent dangerous migrant crossings of the English Channel. The summit concluded with broad agreement on tackling migration, although Starmer acknowledged that achieving substantial progress would require time. The summit, initially agreed upon when Conservative leader Rishi Sunak was Prime Minister, served as an important introductory event for Starmer on the international stage.
Concerns about U.S. politics, particularly Trump’s potential second presidency and his running mate’s opposition to military aid to Ukraine, were prominent among the European leaders.
Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof and others highlighted the need for Europe to bolster its self-reliance, while Hungary’s pro-Russia Prime Minister Viktor Orbán controversially supported Trump. Zelenskyy stressed the importance of European unity against leaders who might undermine their collective interests.
