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PA Media<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/figure>\nSir Keir Starmer has held a call with leaders from the EU, Turkey, Norway, Iceland and Canada as part of the ongoing diplomatic push on Ukraine. <\/p>\n
During the meeting, the non-EU countries were briefed on the EU’s plans to step up defence, which include freeing up \u20ac800bn (\u00a3670bn) for military spending.<\/p>\n
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the move would help Europe protect “our people, territories and assets” and help “the long-term security of our brave neighbour Ukraine”.<\/p>\n
UK Defence Secretary John Healey earlier returned from Washington DC, where he met with his US counterpart Pete Hegseth to discuss ending Russia’s war on Ukraine. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Addressing Hegseth, he said: “You challenged us to step up on Ukraine, on defence spending, on European security – and I say to you that we have we are and we will further.”<\/p>\n
Hegseth said UK leadership was “critical” adding that “European leadership of Nato, led by the UK and others is we believe the future of defence on the continent”.<\/p>\n
The US has paused military aid to Ukraine and stop sharing intelligence as it reviews “all aspects of this relationship”. <\/p>\n
In a televised speech, French President Emmanuel Macron said “I want to believe the US will stay at our side, but we must be ready if that is not the case.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
The UK and France have said they are willing to provide peacekeeping troops to Ukraine and are urging other European countries to join what they have called a “coalition of the willing”. <\/p>\n
According to UK officials about 20 countries are interested in joining the coalition, although would not necessarily offer to send troops, but instead provide other support. <\/p>\n
But Sir Keir has said that in order to be effective their presence in Ukraine must be backed by security guarantees from the US.<\/p>\n