Sir Keir Starmer has told Volodymyr Zelensky that he will discuss the importance of Ukraine's sovereignty in talks with Donald Trump next week.
Speaking to the Ukrainian President in a phone call this morning, the Prime Minister reiterated the UK's "ironclad support" for Kyiv and said that he would be "progressing important discussions" about the country's security on his visit to Washington.
The upcoming meeting between the two leaders comes after Trump launched a verbal attack on Zelensky, where he branded him a "dictator".
In a readout of a call between Starmer and the Ukrainian president on Saturday, a No10 spokesman said: “The Prime Minister began by reiterating the UK’s ironclad support for Ukraine and commitment to securing a just and enduring peace to bring an end to Russia’s illegal war.
"The leaders reflected on recent developments in the conflict, as the third anniversary of the full-scale invasion approaches, and agreed on the need to continue working together with allies to achieve peace through strength.
"The Prime Minister repeated that Ukraine must be at the heart of any negotiations to end the war and that safeguarding Ukraine's sovereignty was essential to deter future aggression from Russia.
"The Prime Minister said he would be progressing these important discussions in the coming days and weeks, including with US President Trump whilst visiting Washington DC next week. The leaders agreed to stay in close contact."
Trump also said in recent days that Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron, both of whom will visit the White House next week, "haven’t done anything" to end the war.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the UK, France and other allies have been providing Kyiv with weapons and aid.
Starmer also spoke with President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen earlier this morning, with the two leaders agreeing Europe must "step up" for the good of collective security on the continent, No10 said.
"Ahead of the three-year anniversary of Russia’s barbaric illegal war, they discussed the need to secure a just and enduring peace in Ukraine, and agreed that Europe must step up for the good of collective European security," a Downing Street spokesman said.
Last night, it was revealed that Starmer is set to defy Trump with a new aid plan for a fresh Ukraine.
The Prime Minister will reportedly reveal the "triple whammy" of measures on February 24, the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
A package of measures, including military aid and sanctions, is being drawn up in Whitehall to show Britain’s support for Ukraine.
The MoD is set to announce the details of this military aid, which may include extra weapons for Ukraine, but that is yet to be signed off.
The Foreign Office will also reveal a set of sanctions against Russia, and crack down on Russian "dirty money", targeting Oligarchs supporting Putin.
Whitehall sources have called the measures a "full triple whammy", put in place to underline the UK’s backing for Kyiv.
Find Out More...
Speaking to the Ukrainian President in a phone call this morning, the Prime Minister reiterated the UK's "ironclad support" for Kyiv and said that he would be "progressing important discussions" about the country's security on his visit to Washington.
The upcoming meeting between the two leaders comes after Trump launched a verbal attack on Zelensky, where he branded him a "dictator".
In a readout of a call between Starmer and the Ukrainian president on Saturday, a No10 spokesman said: “The Prime Minister began by reiterating the UK’s ironclad support for Ukraine and commitment to securing a just and enduring peace to bring an end to Russia’s illegal war.
"The leaders reflected on recent developments in the conflict, as the third anniversary of the full-scale invasion approaches, and agreed on the need to continue working together with allies to achieve peace through strength.
"The Prime Minister repeated that Ukraine must be at the heart of any negotiations to end the war and that safeguarding Ukraine's sovereignty was essential to deter future aggression from Russia.
"The Prime Minister said he would be progressing these important discussions in the coming days and weeks, including with US President Trump whilst visiting Washington DC next week. The leaders agreed to stay in close contact."
Trump also said in recent days that Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron, both of whom will visit the White House next week, "haven’t done anything" to end the war.
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Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the UK, France and other allies have been providing Kyiv with weapons and aid.
Starmer also spoke with President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen earlier this morning, with the two leaders agreeing Europe must "step up" for the good of collective security on the continent, No10 said.
"Ahead of the three-year anniversary of Russia’s barbaric illegal war, they discussed the need to secure a just and enduring peace in Ukraine, and agreed that Europe must step up for the good of collective European security," a Downing Street spokesman said.
Last night, it was revealed that Starmer is set to defy Trump with a new aid plan for a fresh Ukraine.
The Prime Minister will reportedly reveal the "triple whammy" of measures on February 24, the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
A package of measures, including military aid and sanctions, is being drawn up in Whitehall to show Britain’s support for Ukraine.
The MoD is set to announce the details of this military aid, which may include extra weapons for Ukraine, but that is yet to be signed off.
The Foreign Office will also reveal a set of sanctions against Russia, and crack down on Russian "dirty money", targeting Oligarchs supporting Putin.
Whitehall sources have called the measures a "full triple whammy", put in place to underline the UK’s backing for Kyiv.
Find Out More...