Speech

PM remarks at international leaders' summit press conference: 2 March 2025

The Prime Minister's remarks at the International Leaders summit press conference in London.

Good afternoon.聽

The first priority of this government 鈥 of any government鈥

Is the security and safety of the British people鈥

To defend the national interest鈥

Particularly in these volatile times.

That鈥檚 why, last week鈥

I announced the biggest sustained increase in defence spending since the Cold War.

That鈥檚 also why I met President Trump last week鈥

To strengthen our relationship with America 鈥

As indispensable partners in defence and security.聽

And it鈥檚 why, this weekend, I have been hosting European leaders here in London鈥

To work together鈥

For the security of the United Kingdom, Ukraine and Europe as a whole.

Through my discussions over recent days鈥

We have agreed that the UK, France and others鈥

Will work with Ukraine on a plan to stop the fighting鈥

Then we鈥檒l discuss that plan with the United States鈥

And take it forward together.聽

The purpose of today鈥檚 meeting was to unite our partners around this effort鈥

To strengthen Ukraine鈥

And to support a just and enduring peace鈥β

For the good of all of us.聽

Our starting point must be鈥

To put Ukraine in the strongest possible position now鈥

So that they can negotiate from a position of strength.聽

And we are doubling down in our support.

Yesterday evening鈥

The UK signed a 拢2.2 billion loan鈥

To provide more military aid to Ukraine 鈥

Backed, not by the British taxpayer鈥

But by the profits from frozen Russian assets.

And today, I am announcing a new deal鈥

Which allows Ukraine to use 拢1.6 billion of UK Export Finance鈥

To buy more than 5,000 air defence missiles鈥

Which will be made in Belfast鈥

Creating jobs in our brilliant defence sector.

This will be vital for protecting critical infrastructure now鈥

And strengthening Ukraine in securing the peace, when it comes.

Because we have to learn from the mistakes of the past.聽

We cannot accept a weak deal like Minsk 鈥撀

Which Russia can breach with ease.

Instead, any deal must be backed by strength.聽

Every nation must contribute to that in the best way that it can.聽

Bringing different capabilities and support to the table鈥

But聽all聽taking responsibility to act鈥

All聽stepping up to their own聽share of the burden.聽

So we agreed some important steps today.聽

First, we will keep the military aid flowing and keep increasing the economic pressure on Russia鈥

To strengthen Ukraine now.聽

Second, we agreed that any lasting peace must ensure Ukraine鈥檚 sovereignty and security.聽

And Ukraine must be at the table.聽

Third, in the event of a peace deal鈥

We will keep boosting Ukraine鈥檚 own defensive capabilities鈥

To deter any future invasion.聽

Fourth, we will go further to develop a 鈥渃oalition of the willing鈥 to defend a deal in Ukraine鈥

And to聽guarantee the peace.

Not every nation will feel able to contribute.聽

But that can鈥檛 mean we sit back.聽

Instead, those willing will intensify聽planning now 鈥 with real urgency.

The UK is prepared to back this鈥

With boots on the ground, and planes in the air鈥

Together with others.聽

Europe must do the heavy lifting鈥

But to support peace on聽our聽continent.

And聽to succeed, this effort must have strong US backing.

We鈥檙e working with the US on this point, after my meeting with President Trump last week.聽

And let me be clear 鈥 we agree with the President on the urgent need for a durable peace.

Now we need to deliver, together.聽

Finally, we agreed that leaders will meet again very soon鈥

To keep the pace behind these actions鈥

And to keep working towards this shared plan.

We are at a crossroads in history today.聽

This is not a moment for more talk 鈥撀

It is time to act鈥.

Time to step up and lead鈥

And to unite around a new plan鈥

For a just and enduring peace.

Thank you.

Updates to this page

Published 2 March 2025