Christopher Luxon joins 'coalition of the willing' talks as military moves over Ukraine begin

Sunday, 16 March 2025

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon joins 'coalition of the willing' talks focused on peace in Ukraine.

Around 30 nations join virtual summit convened by British PM Sir Keir Starmer to discuss Ukraine.

Starmer said it was time to start 'operational phase' for coalition, with military leaders set to form a plan in London.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has joined “coalition of the wiling” talks, as urgency builds to protect Ukraine against further Russian aggression.

World leaders, including Christopher Luxon and Volodymyr Zelensky, joined a “coalition of the willing” call overnight.

British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer convened a virtual summit of world leaders overnight, which saw around 30 nations join the call to discuss how to secure peace in Ukraine. Starmer dubbed this group the coalition as fears grew that the American support for Ukraine had faltered under US President Donald Trump.

Their latest call, which was the first summit involving Luxon, reached a material milestone as Starmer declared it was time to start an “operational phase” for this coalition.

Speaking after the online meeting, Starmer told reporters that military leaders would be gathering in London on Thursday (local Time) to form a plan that could “guarantee Ukraine’s future security”.

Luxon is yet to answer questions about what New Zealand agreed to contribute during the call. He was en route to India on Sunday and unavailable to comment.

Writing on social media after the meeting, he reiterated New Zealand’s support for Ukraine.

“Our discussion included how to support Ukraine to achieve a just and lasting peace,” he said.

That discussion appeared, according to Starmer’s comments, to have a significant focus on the military requirements needed to ensure Ukraine’s freedom.

Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaks with world leaders at the beginning of a video conference to discuss a Ukraine peace plan.

Starmer said: “The group I convened today is more important than ever. It brings together partners from across Europe as well as Canada, Australia and New Zealand, with backing from others too – including Japan.

“We agreed we will keep increasing the pressure on Russia, keep the military aid flowing to Ukraine and keep tightening the restrictions on Russia’s economy to weaken Putin’s war machine and bring him to the table.

“And we agreed to accelerate our practical work … Our militaries will meet on Thursday,” he told reporters.

Reports out of Britain indicated there was differing levels of agreement from those who joined the call. The Telegraph reported the group of leaders had not reached a “concrete agreement” about whether to deploy military forces to Ukraine.

Stuff has asked Luxon’s office where he sits on that issue. Any decision around deployments or increased aid would need to be made by Cabinet.

Alongside Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron - a key player leading Europe’s renewed focus on regional security - joined the call.

So too did Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who - despite being berated by Trump and US vice president JD Vance in the White House - said he wanted to work with Trump on a peace plan.

“I want to thank President Trump and the American delegation. This process must continue,” Zelenskyy said, in a statement following the summit.