Sir Keir Starmer and Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated this can be a “vital second” for European safety amid the continued fallout between the Ukrainian chief and Donald Trump.
In a telephone name this morning, the prime minister reiterated the UK’s “ironclad assist” for Ukraine and stated he would talk about safeguarding Kyiv’s sovereignty with the US president.
Sir Keir additionally spoke with the European Fee president Ursula von der Leyen this morning, through which they agreed that Europe should “step up” for the great of collective safety on the continent.
Sir Keir will meet Mr Trump within the coming days for what might be a essential second within the fragile relations between America and Europe after the US chief launched a unprecedented verbal assault on Mr Zelenskyy.
Mr Trump labelled the Ukrainian chief a “dictator” and stated the prime minister and French President Emmanuel Macron, each of whom will go to the White Home subsequent week, “have not achieved something” to finish the conflict.
Since Russia‘s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the UK, France and different allies have been offering Kyiv with weapons and assist.
Mr Trump has additionally prompt that Ukraine “began” the conflict.
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
Starmer and Macron ‘have not achieved something’
In a Downing Avenue readout of Sir Keir’s name with Mr Zelenskyy, a spokesperson stated: “The prime minister started by reiterating the UK’s ironclad assist for Ukraine and dedication to securing a simply and enduring peace to convey an finish to Russia’s unlawful conflict.
“The leaders mirrored on latest developments within the battle, because the third anniversary of the full-scale invasion approaches, and agreed on the necessity to proceed working along with allies to realize peace by way of power.
“They agreed that this was a big second for the way forward for Ukraine and European safety at massive.”
Learn extra:
Envoy says US is ‘with’ Ukraine – in contrast to Trump’s remarks
Sombre Starmer and Europe confront emerging new world order
The spokesperson added: “The prime minister repeated that Ukraine have to be on the coronary heart of any negotiations to finish the conflict and that safeguarding Ukraine’s sovereignty was important to discourage future aggression from Russia.”
In the meantime, a Downing Avenue spokesperson stated of Sir Keir and Ms von der Leyen’s name: “Forward of the three-year anniversary of Russia’s barbaric unlawful conflict, they mentioned the necessity to safe a simply and enduring peace in Ukraine, and agreed that Europe should step up for the great of collective European safety.”
On Saturday afternoon, Sir Keir additionally spoke with Finland’s president Alexander Stubb and mentioned “the necessity to safe enduring peace for Ukraine and convey an finish to Russia’s unlawful conflict”, a Downing Avenue readout stated.
“The leaders agreed the necessity for Europe to step up assist to realize this, and the prime minister stated the UK is able to play a task in future safety ensures.”
The US president’s latest statements, which echo Russian president Vladimir Putin’s narrative, and plans to have direct negotiations with Moscow concerning the finish of the conflict in Ukraine have left European allies and Ukrainian officers apprehensive.
Mr Trump informed US governors on Friday he “had excellent talks with Putin” and “not such good talks with Ukraine”.
The US president additionally stated a deal on minerals in Ukraine in trade for weapons was shut, however a supply with data of the negotiations informed Sky Information the Ukrainian president is not ready to sign and sees a “variety of problematic points” with the draft settlement.
