"Ukraine's future is our future. What happens in the weeks and months ahead is pivotal for the security of the UK and all our allies across NATO and beyond. So we are determined to act now."
Those were the words of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, following yesterday's meeting of the Coalition of the Willing.
It followed a day in which the UK did its utmost to show its solidarity with Ukraine.
Volodymyr Zelensky was given a royal welcome at Windsor Castle, where he met King Charles.
Both heads of state stood as the Ukrainian national anthem played. Afterwards, Mr Zelensky inspected a guard of honour.
Meanwhile over at Downing Street, the red carpet was rolled out.
In a scene reminiscent of last March, when Volodymyr Zelensky arrived at Downing Street following his argument with the US President in the Oval Office, Mr Starmer once again gave him a warm embrace.
The message was clear, the UK is a friend Ukraine can rely on.
Maintaining momentum
This week's meeting of the "Coalition of the Willing" was announced within hours of the Ukrainian President's most recent visit to the White House, amid fears that relations between the US and Ukraine were about to sour.
Volodymir Zelensky's meeting with the US President was met with disappointment by many, as Donald Trump backed away from plans to provide Ukraine with much sought after Tomahawk missiles.
He had also organised a meeting with Vladimir Putin in Hungary.
However, the past few days went better than many European leaders had hoped.
The US and Russian president's summit was cancelled and the decision of the United States to sanction two major Russian oil companies comforted Ukraine and its allies.
It came during a week when the EU also formally adopted its 19th round of sanctions and discussed providing Ukraine with a €140 billion loan backed by immobilised Russian assets.
When the gathering of the Coalition of the Willing was announced last week, leaders believed that they would also be preparing for the meeting between the Russian and US Presidents in Hungary.
Instead, they were now working on plans to force Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table.
Outcome of the meeting
More than 20 leaders attended the meeting of the coalition of the willing, most of them remotely.
Those that gathered in person took part in a press conference afterwards, speaking of the need to bolster Ukrainian defence capabilities though the depths of winter.
Keir Starmer urged countries to provide Ukraine with long range missiles, announcing his own decision to speed up the delivery of 140 light-weight multirole missiles to Ukraine, which are being constructed in Belfast.
He also called on EU leaders to provide the €140bn loan to Ukraine.
Denmark's Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen expressed hope it could be done by Christmas Eve.
"The idea of getting Russia to pay for the damages they have done in Ukraine is the only way forward. Of course, there are some technical questions that have to be answered. There are a lot of details that we have to work on. But first and foremost, this is a political decision and a political choice. I support the idea totally," she said.
There were also commitments from the Netherlands to increase energy support to Ukraine during the winter.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin was among the many leaders who attended the meeting remotely.
Echoing words from the Ukrainian President, Mr Martin said that the war must end at the negotiating table.
He also reiterated that Ireland would consider contributing to peace keeping efforts, should a ceasefire be reached.
Forcing Putin to the negotiating table
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte was optimistic in terms of the effect tough measures would have on ending the war.
He spoke of how "Putin is gaining little ground on the battlefield and there are marginal gains. They are coming at a huge price. Hundreds of thousands of Russians are dying for Putin's deluded aggression. Ukraine continues defending itself bravely and our support to them is working.
"The truth is that Putin is running out of money, troops and ideas. President Trump said this very well - they should stop where they are now," Mr Rutte added.
However, recent words from Moscow show no sign of any imminent Russian concession.
Reacting to the latest rounds of sanctions from the United States, Mr Putin described them as "serious", but not strong enough to significantly affect the economy.
The US was absent from the meeting of the Coalition of the Willing, as it is not a member.
Nevertheless, it featured prominently as leaders agreed on the need for US involvement in any future security guarantees for Ukraine.
They also praised the tougher stance Donald Trump had taken towards Russia in recent days.
European leaders are eager to ensure that Ukraine is in its strongest possible position, should peace negotiations come to pass.
US solidarity is seen as crucial in order to achieve a meaningful peace for Ukraine.
