Ukraine peace summit LIVE: Western leaders arrive in London to work on ceasefire as PM Sir Keir Starmer hosts

Sir Keir Starmer also told leaders gathered at Lancaster House: ‘In my conversations in recent days, we agreed a group of us will work with Ukraine on a plan to stop the fighting, and then discuss that with the US and take it forward together.’

Ukraine’s allies need to also continue their support in the moment, Sir Keir said, adding: “Even while Russia talks about peace, they are continuing their relentless aggression.”

He concluded: ‘That is the agenda and we need to agree what steps come out of this meeting to deliver peace through strength for the benefit of all.

World leaders have now gathered at Lancaster House for the security summit.

It is understood that discussions will take place over the next couple of hours. Whilst the exact details of the talks are not known, the BBC has reported that possible topics could include Europe’s possible role in bringing an end to the war, as well as the continent’s relations with the US.

The Prime Minister is expected to hold a press conference at the conclusion of talks.

European leaders kicked off a crucial summit to forge a Ukraine strategy today after the extraordinary White House bust-up between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky.

After embracing Mr Zelensky on the steps of Lancaster House in London, the PM  told the gathering they must step up to a ‘once in a generation moment’.

Emmanuel Macron and Giorgia Meloni also received a warm welcome, as Britain, France and Italy look set to take key roles in a ‘coalition of the willing’ to enforce any peace deal with Russia.

The leaders are expected to signal a ramping up of defence spending with Sir Keir urging them to recognise the ‘brutal reality’ of the US pulling back from military guarantees.

The summit was already planned before the on-camera slanging match with Mr Trump and his vice president JD Vance.

European leaders need to step up at a ‘once in a generation moment’, Sir Keir

Starmer said at the start of the defence summit on Ukraine in London.

Sir Keir shakes hands with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

French Emmanual Macron with Sir Keir outside Lancaster House

Sir Keir with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. The world leaders held a meeting in Downing Street earlier today

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaking outside of today’s summit

Sir Keir Starmer and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will meet with world leaders today for the summit at Lancaster House in London.

This includes the leaders of Italy, France, Germany, Denmark, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain, Canada, Finland, Sweden, Czechia and Romania.

The Turkish Foreign Minister, NATO Secretary General and the Presidents of the European Commission and European Council will also attend.

Hundreds of demonstators have started their planned rally outside Downing Street by singing the Ukrainian national anthem.

It comes after world leaders arrived at Lancaster House for talks on the country’s security.

People carried large Ukrainian flags and placards that said ‘war is not over in Ukraine! Ukrainian rally. World wake up!’ and ‘Russian captivity kills’.

A metres-long banner was draped over a wall that read: “When the last Ukrainian soldier falls, Putin will come for you ladies (and) gents!”

A woman on a megaphone repeatedly shouted ‘thank you Britain’ and the crowd chanted the same back.

They went on to call out ‘Russia is a terrorist state” and “world, do not betray Ukraine’.

Volodymyr Zelensky and Sir Keir Starmer warmly embraced and had a short conversation outside the venue before heading inside for today’s secuity summit in London.