The Foreign Secretary will host Foreign Ministers of the Weimar+
group today (12 May 2025) at Lancaster House for critical talks
on repelling Russian aggression and bolstering European
security.
Representatives from France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Poland and
the EU will join Foreign Secretary in London. It follows a
historic visit on Saturday by the leaders of the UK, France,
Germany, Poland to Kyiv during which, alongside the US, they
called for Russia to agree to a 30-day ceasefire to allow for
unfettered peace talks.
Hosted in the UK for the first time, today's Weimar+ meeting is
the sixth time these major European powers have come together in
this format, at which the Foreign Secretary plans to announce
further sanctions targeting actors supporting Russia's illegal
invasion.
Ukraine's rightful future is a just and lasting peace. Putin's
refusal to engage seriously in peace talks is forcing that future
into improbability. This is a critical moment to secure the
future of Ukraine, the Foreign Secretary will make clear at
Weimar+ that Europe's leaders must stand strong in our unwavering
support for Ukraine's right to peace and freedom.
Foreign Secretary, , said:
“We are facing a once-in-a-generation moment for the collective
security of our continent. The challenge we face today is not
only about the future of Ukraine – it is existential for Europe
as a whole.
“I have brought our friends and partners to London to make clear
that we must stand together, allied in our protection of
sovereignty, of peace and of Ukraine.
“A strong and secure Britain is a foundation of our Plan for
Change. This cannot be achieved without standing up to Putin and
strengthening our shared European security.”
To further resist Putin's attacks on Ukraine, the international
order and peace, the Foreign Secretary is gathering Allies for
discussions on both our joint efforts to strengthen European
security and securing a just and lasting peace for Ukraine.
This builds on a drumbeat of collaboration between the UK and the
EU on defence and security. On top of Saturday's meeting attended
by the Prime Minister, the Foreign Secretary on Friday joined
European ministers in Lviv to announce the UK's support for the
establishment of a Special Tribunal, to hold those responsible
for the crime of aggression against Ukraine to account. This
followed the Foreign Secretary visiting Poland to join the
Gymnich meeting, where he highlighted the need for a new,
ambitious security relationship between the UK and Europe that
will support economic growth, protect citizens, and support
European collective security and defence. The Weimar+ is an
important opportunity to continue driving forward these talks
with EU member states.
The Weimar+ meeting comes days ahead of the UK-EU Summit (19
May), which will cover a range of UK-EU issues and look to foster
a stable, positive and forward-looking relationship.
