'New Ukraine peace deal' and Zelensky's 'king-size welcome'

Sir Keir Starmer’s announcement that the UK and France would lead a “coalition of the willing” to help end fighting in Ukraine leads most of Monday’s front pages. Speaking after a defence summit in London, the prime minister said a lasting ceasefire plan would have to be “delivered together” with the US in order to deter Russia, the Guardian says.

The front page of the Guardain — Sir Keir Starmer’s announcement that the UK and France would lead a “coalition of the willing” to help end fighting in Ukraine leads most of Monday’s front pages. Speaking after a defence summit in London, the prime minister said a lasting ceasefire plan would have to be “delivered together” with the US in order to deter Russia, the Guardian says.

Sir Keir also revealed a number of countries had indicated they want to be part of the plans, but he declined to name them, the Financial Times reports.

The front page of the Financial Times — Sir Keir also revealed a number of countries had indicated they want to be part of the plans, but he declined to name them, the Financial Times reports.

The PM’s remarks also make the front page of the Daily Express. The paper says the he told Europe’s leaders they must “step up” to ensure conflict does not spread across the continent.

The front page of the Daily Express — The PM’s remarks also make the front page of the Daily Express. The paper says the he told Europe’s leaders they must “step up” to ensure conflict does not spread across the continent.

The Daily Telegraph reports the prime minister’s announcement of a £1.6bn deal to supply advanced air defence missiles to Ukraine. Meanwhile, it adds Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, said she would present a “comprehensive plan” to urgently “re-arm Europe”.

The front page of the Daily Telegraph. — The Daily Telegraph reports the prime minister’s announcement of a £1.6bn deal to supply advanced air defence missiles to Ukraine. Meanwhile, it adds Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission, said she would present a “comprehensive plan” to urgently “re-arm Europe”.

When asked about the peace deal plans, Zelensky smiled and said: “I am aware of everything”, the Times reports. The paper says he also insisted Ukraine’s turbulent relations with Donald Trump’s administration “will pass”, and that he would like the US president to “hear things from me personally”.

The front page of the Times. — When asked about the peace deal plans, Zelensky smiled and said: “I am aware of everything”, the Times reports. The paper says he also insisted Ukraine’s turbulent relations with Donald Trump’s administration “will pass”, and that he would like the US president to “hear things from me personally”.

An image of Zelensky meeting King Charles features on the front page of the i and several other papers. The i says the King flexed “soft power” in his hour-long meeting with the Ukranian leader, after he invited Donald Trump for a state visit.

The i newspaper front page — An image of Zelensky meeting King Charles features on the front page of the i and several other papers. The i says the King flexed “soft power” in his hour-long meeting with the Ukranian leader, after he invited Donald Trump for a state visit.

“King-size welcome,” is how the Sun describes the meeting between the King and Zelensky at Sandringham.

The Sun front page — “King-size welcome,” is how the Sun describes the meeting between the King and Zelensky at Sandringham.

The King’s invitation for Zelensky to visit Sandringham was a “pointed show of support”, the Daily Mail says, coming just two days after the Ukrainian president’s heated exchange with Donald Trump at the White House.

The front page of the Daily Mail. — The King’s invitation for Zelensky to visit Sandringham was a “pointed show of support”, the Daily Mail says, coming just two days after the Ukrainian president’s heated exchange with Donald Trump at the White House.

It marked their third meeting since Ukraine was invaded in 2022, the Metro notes, adding that locals waved Ukrainian flags as Zelensky arrived by helicopter.

The front page of the Metro. — It marked their third meeting since Ukraine was invaded in 2022, the Metro notes, adding that locals waved Ukrainian flags as Zelensky arrived by helicopter.

The meeting between the King and Zelensky does merit a mention on the front page of the Daily Star. But its lead story is some “flipping great news” for its readers, revealing that the “crepe weather” is over, with Spring arriving just in time for Pancake Day.

The front page of the Daily Star. — The meeting between the King and Zelensky does merit a mention on the front page of the Daily Star. But its lead story is some “flipping great news” for its readers, revealing that the “crepe weather” is over, with Spring arriving just in time for Pancake Day.

The summit of European leaders in London on Saturday to discuss the war in Ukraine dominates the front pages.

The i paper says Britain and France have “taken over” efforts to secure a peace deal with Russia, after Friday’s shouting match between Donald Trump and President Zelensky.

The Times says Sir Keir Starmer and President Macron intend to act as a “bridge” to the US, in negotiations about an agreement. But, the paper says, there’s further signs of worsening relations between Kyiv and Washington, after allies of President Trump suggested on Sunday that President Zelensky would have to stand down, as part of any deal.

According to the Guardian, the prime minister’s proposed plan would “counter-balance” the talks already under way between the US and Russia, which have so far involved neither Ukraine, nor European countries. Government sources tell the paper that while the main objective of securing an American security guarantee has yet to be been achieved, they are delighted that the prime minister has shown that post-Brexit Britain can play a global leadership role.

Senior allies of the prime minister tell the Times that President Zelensky should learn from Sir Keir’s approach. “He needs to play the game” a source explains, adding, “Trump wants respect.”

PA Media French President Emmanuel Macron, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, sit at the head of the table with other European leaders during a summit on the situation in Ukraine at Lancaster House, London. Picture date: Sunday March 2, 2025.

European leaders are expected to announce major increases in defence spending in the coming days, according to the Daily Telegraph. The paper says a number of ideas are being considered ahead of a meeting of the European Council on Thursday, including an easing of the EU’s fiscal rules to allow greater public spending, and pooling common debt to buy arms.

The Financial Times names Germany, Spain and Poland as among the countries who have so far not offered to join what Sir Keir called the “coalition of the willing”.

The Sun’s leader column says it is worrying that some counties are still willing to outsource their own security and let others foot the bill.

The Daily Mail reports on President Zelensky’s visit to Sandringham, saying the King “threw a protective arm” around Ukraine’s leader. The paper describes the meeting as a “pointed show of support” and notes that President Trump last week described King Charles as a “beautiful man”.

For the Daily Mirror, a simple handshake between the two men said all that was needed.

“King-size welcome,” is the Sun’s headline. For the Metro, it’s “Send him victorious”.