Keir Starmer has warned the West is at a "crossroads in history" after holding crisis talks with European leaders on ending the war in Ukraine.
The Prime Minister used a press conference in London to spell out continued support for Kyiv amid fears Donald Trump could abandon Europe in a botched deal with Russian tyrant Vladimir Putin.
He said: "We are at a crossroads in history today. This is not a moment for more talk. It's time to act. Time to step up and lead and to unite around a new plan for a just and enduring peace. "
The Prime Minister said that "Europe must do the heavy lifting" but made it clear that US support is needed to deter Russia from invading again. After talks with European leaders, he said the UK, France and others will draw up a plan to stop the war which will be presented to the US President.
Leaders agreed to keep military aid flowing and to turn the screws on Russia's economy, the PM said. Ukraine must have a seat at the table for peace talks, and any deal must guarantee its sovereignty and security.
Mr Starmer said there would be a "coalition of the willing" to defend Ukraine and guarantee peace in the country - but did not spell out who this would include. He also announced a deal to allow Ukraine to use £1.6 billion of export finance to buy more than 5,000 air defence missiles, which will be made in Belfast.
Leaders including French President Emmanuel Macron and Nato secretary-general Mark Rutte gathered at Lancaster House in London today to forge a common position on finding peace for the war-torn country.
Thousands of people attended the pro-Ukraine rally outside Downing Street as European leaders rallied around Ukrainian President Volodymy Zelensky after he was berated by Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance in an ugly confrontation in the Oval Office on Friday.
In scenes that reverberated around the world, Mr Trump ranted at Mr Zelensky: "You don't have the cards right now". He added: "Your country's in big trouble."
He then turfed the Ukrainian President out of the White House, cancelling a planned press conference. "Come back when you're ready for peace," Mr Trump said in a statement afterwards.
The extraordinary clash dealt a hammer blow to hopes of a peace deal - and the PM's efforts to persuade Mr Trump to provide US firepower as a back up to European peacekeeping forces to deter Vladimir Putin from invading again. Mr Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron both failed to extract a commitments to a US security guarantee from the President in separate meetings at the White House this week.
The disastrous Oval Office meeting kickstarted 48 hours of frantic diplomacy, with the PM calling both Mr Trump and Mr Zelensky on Friday night to try to repair the damage. Mr Starmer then welcomed Mr Zelensky to Downing Street on Saturday with a warm hug, in a show of support for the Ukrainian leader.
Mr Zelensky has also been invited to meet the King today at Sandringham following the summit at Lancaster House with European leaders. The gathering had been planned before the White House bust up - but now takes on critical importance.
Earlier, the PM told those gathered that "this is a once in a generation moment for the security of Europe and we all need to step up. Getting a good outcome for Ukraine is not just about right and wrong, it is vital to the security of every nation here and many others too".
Mr Starmer told the BBC this morning that European leaders will work with Ukraine on "a plan to stop the the fighting and then discuss that with the US and take it forward together". Ukraine's allies need to also continue their support, he said, adding: "Even while Russia talks about peace, they are continuing their relentless aggression."
He went on: "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."
Mr Starmer said he felt "uncomfortable" watching Friday's clash between the US President and Mr Zelensky in the Oval Office. But he said he responded by "rolling up my sleeves" and talking to both sides rather than voicing outrage on social media.
He told the BBC's Laura Kuenssberg: "Yes, I felt uncomfortable. Nobody wants to see that. But the important thing is how to react to that.
"There are a number of different routes people could go down. One is to ramp up the rhetoric as to how outraged they are... The other is to do what I did, which is roll up our sleeves, pick up the phone."
Asked whether he still trusts Trump, Mr Starmer said: "Yes, I do." He continued: "I have had extensive discussions with him and I believe his motivation is lasting peace."
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