Keir Starmer has said Europe is “at a crossroads in history” and must act to support Ukraine to secure a lasting peace as he confirmed the UK and France would lead a “coalition of the willing” to help end the fighting.

After a crucial defence summit in London, Starmer said any plan for a lasting ceasefire would have to be “delivered together” with the US to provide a deterrence to Russia, as he continued attempts to repair frayed ties between Kyiv and Washington.

Starmer announced a deal that would allow Ukraine to use £1.6bn of export finance to buy more than 5,000 air defence missiles, to be made by Thales in Belfast and therefore creating jobs, as part of the government’s plan to boost economic growth.

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