Starmer is now asked if the "coalition of the willing" could be bolstered by countries outside Europe, such as Canada, which was present at today's meeting.

The prime minister says yes, and that Canada has been working on issues like training, and has been a "reliable ally".

Starmer is then asked when he will present a new plan to US President Donald Trump.

He responds by saying he spoke to Trump last night, but doesn't go into the details of the conversation.

"I wouldn’t be taking this step down this road if I didn’t think it would yield a positive outcome in terms of ensuring that we move together," he says.

BBC political editor Chris Mason asks Starmer if he feels a greater responsibility for delivering a workable peace after the fallout between Trump and Zelensky on Friday and if he's persuading more people to join the "coalition of the willing".

Starmer says he does think the UK should step up, saying the country has "done that historically... and we need to that again, that is why we are moving forward on this".

Image source, BBC POOL

Referring to the coalition of the willing, he says "a number of countries" have indicated today they want to be part of the plan being developed, saying he will leave those countries to make their own statements about how they want to make those contributions.

"I strongly feel that unless some countries move forward, we will stay in the position we're in and not be able to move forward. It is a deliberate plan to ensure we get some momentum and a pace here. It's intended to preserve the peace and ensure we stay in lockstep with the US," which he says he believes is the best way to preserve security in Europe and the UK.

ITV's Robert Peston asks Starmer about the possibility of British troops being deployed in Ukraine to help ensure any possible peace is kept, and whether that means there's a more real prospect of Britain being at war with Russia.

Peston asks if the prime minister can rule that out, to which Starmer replies that the whole point of a possible deal would be to preserve peace.

Starmer says the way to ensure stability in the UK is to defend a peace deal in Ukraine, and we have to ensure we are able to do that.

"Because the one thing our history tells us is that if there is conflict in Europe, it will wash up on our shores," he says.

Starmer is now taking questions from the press, with Sky's Beth Rigby asking if he and the other leaders at the summit really need the US's backing and pushing him on whether the "coalition of the willing" will be enough?

Starmer responds: "I do not accept that the US in an unreliable ally, there are no two countries as closely aligned as our two countries."

He continues to say that discussions today have been called on the basis that "this is a plan we're working toward with the US, and with US backing. That is why I spoke to Trump last night."

Starmer says that in today's summit, leaders agreed to meet again soon in order to "keep the pace behind these actions" and keep working towards a shared plan.

"We are at a crossroads in history today," he says.

"This is not a moment for more talk – it’s time to act and unite around a new plan for a just and enduring peace."

Starmer says those willing will intensify planning now, with real urgency, before reaffirming the UK's commitment to backing this with "boots on the ground, and planes in the air".

"Europe must do the heavy lifting," he says.

But the agreement needs US backing, he continues, "let me clear, we agree with Trump on the urgent need for a durable peace. Now we need to deliver together".

Starmer says that any new deal to support Ukraine must be backed by strength, and that every nation must contribute in the best way it can, by all taking responsibility and stepping up their own share.

The prime minister says leaders at the summit agreed four important steps:

• To keep military aid flowing into Ukraine while the war is ongoing, and increase economic pressure on Russia
• Any lasting peace must ensure Ukraine's sovereignty and security, and Ukraine must be at the table for any peace talks
• In the event of a peace deal, European leaders will aim to deter any future invasion by Russia into Ukraine
• There would be a "coalition of the willing" to defend Ukraine and guarantee peace in the country

Image source, BBC POOL

Starmer announces that the UK government will allow Ukraine to use £1.6bn of UK export finance to buy more than five thousand air defence missiles.

He says these will be made in Belfast, creating jobs in the UK's defence sector.

He says the goal is to put Ukraine in the strongest position so they can negotiate from a position of strength.

Starmer starts by saying he's been hosting European leaders in London to work together for the security of the UK, Ukraine and Europe as a whole.

He goes on to say that the UK, France and others have agreed to work with Ukraine "on a plan to stop the fighting".

That plan will then be discussed with the United States, he says, "and that plan will be taken forward together".

The prime minister is about to address the media following his Ukraine summit.

We'll bring you the top lines from his statement so stick with us. You can also follow along by clicking Watch Live at the top of the page.

On X, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has shared a short message following his Ukraine summit in London.

He says: "We must meet this moment together. To guarantee the best outcome for Ukraine. To protect European security. And to secure our collective future."

Alex Dunlop
Reporting from Sandringham Estate

I’m at the Sandringham Estate.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky will arrive by helicopter, which will almost certainly land out of site. I've been here on a few occasions where helicopters have come and gone, and you can certainly hear them, but you don't always see them.

I wondered when I arrived if there’d be any people showing support for him, as there were in Downing Street when he arrived to meet Keir Starmer.

But I think a lot of people here aren’t aware that he’s coming. There have been some people who have asked us about it, but mostly there are dog walkers.

We did meet a couple of Ukrainian ladies who were aware he was coming. They brought a Ukrainian flag, and live locally.

I asked them what they make of Zelensky coming to Norfolk to see King Charles. They said they were incredibly heartened by the fact that he was coming to see the King in his private royal residence.

Image source, Reuters

We've just heard from the head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, who described the summit of the leaders as a "good and frank discussion".

She says they discussed the need for comprehensive security guarantees, including putting Ukraine in a position of strength, and ensuring it has the means to "fortify and protect" itself.

She says this ranges from the economic survival to military resilience.

Von der Leyen goes on to say "we have to have a surge in defence...we really have to step up massively," adding that a clear plan from the European Union and a common European approach is needed.

"It’s now of utmost importance we increase spending...it's important we prepare for the worst," she says.

She also sends a message to US President Donald Trump, saying, "we’re ready together with you to defend democracy, to defend the principle that there’s a rule of law that you cannot invade your neighbour or you cannot change borders with force".

"It’s in our common interest that we prevent future wars," she adds.

Image source, Reuters

We can now bring you some pictures of Zelensky leaving the summit to make his way to Sandringham for his meeting with the King.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer's summit with several of his European counterparts has just come to an end - after approximately two hours of discussion.

We're now seeing the leaders leave Lancaster House one by one - with Volodymyr Zelensky now expected to head to Sandringham to meet with King Charles III.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer will host a news conference following his Ukraine summit.

We're expecting to hear from him at 17:00 GMT. We'll be bringing you the key lines, stay with us.

Image source, Reuters

We reported earlier that Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan is among the leaders joining the summit today - and he's expected to reiterate Turkey's offer to host peace talks between Russia and Ukraine.

The country hosted initial negotiations after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, helping secure a deal for the safe passage of grain exports in the Black Sea.

Ahead of the summit, Fidan spoke with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov to discuss the latest developments in the war. And Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan hosted Volodymyr Zelensky in Ankara last month.

Turkey has the second largest army in the Nato alliance, and there have been suggestions that it could support in a peacekeeping process if a deal is agreed.

However, it has not yet declared its official position on this issue, noting that it will make a decision according to developments in the process.

Image source, UK Government

A little earlier, we mentioned Starmer had spoken to the UK's "Baltic allies" - that is the leaders of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, who are not attending today's summit in London.

The chief adviser to Lithuanian president Gitanas Nausėda, Asta Skaisgiryte, tells LRT Radio that Starmer offered the three leaders an apology for their exclusion from the meeting, saying "next time such things will be avoided".

Downing Street says Starmer reiterated the countries' roles in supporting Ukraine and all parties "agreed that Europe must unite" to get "the best outcome" from any peace deal, which would be "vital for Europe's future security".

Lithuania's president has called the discussion "important" and says that the US and Ukraine "should return to the negotiation table" with Europe, and that the Nato eastern flank safety is "a priority".

• For context, Baltic countries have repeatedly expressed concerns that they may, at some, point be susceptible to Russian aggression and they have all ramped up defence spending in the last three years.

While we're waiting to hear the takeaways from the ongoing meeting, here are a few images of the arrivals and greetings that have taken place between leaders this afternoon.

Image source, Reuters

Image source, Reuters

Image source, PA Media

Image source, EPA

Image source, PA Media

Image source, Reuters

Image source, EPA

Before the summit began, Nato chief Mark Rutte posted on X to say he was "very positive" heading into the meeting.

He listed three key points - the first of which was to say "all in Europe will need to give more" to support Ukraine.

He added that "we all want a peace deal, and it has to last", and added that Europe was "really stepping up here".

Lastly, Rutte also reiterated that "to keep Nato strong, Europe will increase defence spending".