Sir Keir Starmer and Volodymyr Zelenskyy mentioned it is a “significant moment” for European safety amid the continued fallout between the Ukrainian chief and Donald Trump.
In a cellphone name this morning, the prime minister reiterated the UK’s “ironclad support” for Ukraine and mentioned he would focus on 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.
Picture:
Starmer and Zelenskyy final month. Pic: Reuters
Sir Keir will meet Mr Trump within the coming days for what shall be a vital 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 mentioned the prime minister and French President Emmanuel Macron, each of whom will go to the White Home subsequent week, “haven’t done anything” to finish the battle.
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 “started” the battle.
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Starmer and Macron ‘have not executed something’
In a Downing Road readout of Sir Keir’s name with Mr Zelenskyy, a spokesperson mentioned: “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 mirrored on current 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 energy.
“They agreed that this was a significant moment for the future of Ukraine and European security at large.”
The spokesperson added: “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.”
In the meantime, a Downing Road spokesperson mentioned of Sir Keir and Ms von der Leyen’s name: “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.”
On Saturday afternoon, Sir Keir additionally spoke with Finland’s president Alexander Stubb and mentioned “the need to secure enduring peace for Ukraine and bring an end to Russia’s illegal war”, a Downing Road readout mentioned.
“The leaders agreed the need for Europe to step up support to achieve this, and the prime minister said the UK is ready to play a role in future security guarantees.”
The US president’s current statements, which echo Russian president Vladimir Putin’s narrative, and plans to have direct negotiations with Moscow in regards to the finish of the battle in Ukraine have left European allies and Ukrainian officers anxious.
Mr Trump informed US governors on Friday he “had very good talks with Putin” and “not such good talks with Ukraine”.
