Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Monday he would work with Europe to set terms for a possible peace deal to present to the United States , after allies gathered in London pledged to spend more on security and assemble a coalition to defend any truce in Ukraine .
The weekend crisis talks, which brought together 18 allies, came at a delicate moment for war-battered Ukraine, facing uncertain US support and on the back foot against Russia’s three-year invasion .
Days earlier, US President Donald Trump berated Zelensky in front of reporters at the White House, heightening fears he intended to force Kyiv into a peace deal that would give Russian President Vladimir Putin what he wanted.
But European leaders closed ranks in support of Kyiv, with Zelensky saying afterwards the summit cemented their commitment to work towards peace.
“We need peace, not endless war,” he said on Telegram.