Splits in Starmer’s ‘coalition of the willing’ for Ukraine as Italy’s Meloni ‘will not join summit’ on Saturday amid doubts over UK and France offer of boots on the ground

By JAMES TAPSFIELD, POLITICAL EDITOR FOR MAILONLINE

Published: 10:35 GMT, 12 March 2025 | Updated: 10:43 GMT, 12 March 2025

Tensions have emerged in Keir Starmer’s ‘coalition of the willing’ on Ukraine today despite the apparent breakthrough with the US.

Italian PM Giorgia Meloni is said to be poised to snub talks called by Sir Keir on Saturday about how to enforce any peace deal with Russia.

Some 30 countries are expected to take part in the virtual discussions.   

But according to la Repubblica, Ms Meloni will not participate and is ‘distancing herself’ from French-British offers to provide troops on the ground. 

She reportedly believes that Sir Keir and Emmanuel Macron are ‘rushing ahead’ by putting together a military contingent.

Instead Ms Meloni – who has positioned herself as a bridge between Europe and Washington – has floated the idea of extending Nato’s collective defence Article 5 to Ukraine, even without formal membership.

Italian defence minister Guido Crosetto is expected to make the argument at another summit with counterparts – including the UK’s John Healey – in Paris today. 

Sir Keir hailed Ukraine’s backing for ceasefire proposals as a ‘remarkable breakthrough’ overnight.

The PM joined the US in urging Vladimir Putin to fall into line with the 30-day ceasefire proposal put forward by Donald Trump’s US administration.

Italian PM Giorgia Meloni is said to be poised to snub talks called by Sir Keir on Saturday about how to enforce any peace deal with Russia

The Italian PM reportedly believes that Sir Keir and Emmanuel Macron (pictured with Volodymyr Zelensky earlier this month) are ‘rushing ahead’ by putting together a military contingent

America also announced the pause on military aid and intelligence sharing with Ukraine has been lifted, following talks between the two nations held in Saudi Arabia.

Mr Healey will meet his counterparts from France, Germany, Italy and Poland in Paris to discuss joint work on building up Europe’s deterrent against Russia.

It follows a gathering of military chiefs in the French capital yesterday aimed at thrashing out commitments for the so-called ‘coalition of the willing’.

Ahead of the talks, Mr Healey said it was now a ‘decisive moment for the future of Ukraine and for the security of Europe’.

He added: ‘The UK remains steadfast in its support for Ukraine, and we will continue to lead alongside our European partners as we push for a just and lasting peace.

‘European nations are stepping up. By deepening our defence co-operation, boosting spending and enhancing our collective strength, we send a clear message: we will not waver in standing with Ukraine and defending our shared values.’

Sir Keir congratulated Mr Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky last night for the ‘remarkable breakthrough’.

‘As both American and Ukrainian delegations have said, the ball is now in the Russian court. Russia must now agree to a ceasefire and an end to the fighting too,’ Sir Keir added.

He echoed the words of Marco Rubio, the US secretary of state, who told reporters in the Gulf state he hoped President Putin would now respond ‘as quickly as possible’.

US President Mr Trump meanwhile said American and Russian officials would meet ‘later on today and tomorrow’ to discuss the deal, adding: ‘If we can get Russia to do it, that’ll be great. If we can’t, we just keep going on and people are going to get killed, lots of people.’

Ukrainian leader Mr Zelensky said ‘it is up to the United States’ to convince Russia to also agree to the plan, and said the ceasefire will ‘take effect immediately’ if the Kremlin did.

The PM joined the US in urging Vladimir Putin to fall into line with the 30-day ceasefire proposal put forward by Donald Trump’s (pictured) US administration

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Splits in Starmer’s ‘coalition of the willing’ for Ukraine as Italy’s Meloni ‘will not join summit’ on Saturday amid doubts over UK and France offer of boots on the ground

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