Ukraine continues to be on an “irreversible path” to becoming a member of NATO, Sir Keir Starmer has informed Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The UK and Ukrainian leaders spoke on the cellphone early on Friday, in response to Downing Avenue.
The dialog got here lower than 24 hours after Donald Trump informed reporters on the White Home that he did not see any approach “that a country in Russia’s position” may permit Ukraine to hitch NATO.
Ukraine conflict newest: Russian drone strikes Chernobyl web site
Nonetheless, a senior US official had mentioned NATO membership for Ukraine was not off the playing cards. Mr Trump’s deputy Ukraine envoy, John Coale, mentioned it was nonetheless “on the table”.
Mr Trump has repeatedly acknowledged that he desires to finish the conflict in Ukraine, and has mentioned he desires to start out negotiations.
He’s additionally pushing for Europe to offer extra help for Kyiv, and the US to spend much less.
A Downing Avenue spokesperson mentioned Sir Keir “began by reiterating the UK’s concrete support for Ukraine, for as long as it’s needed”.
They added: “He was unequivocal that there might be no talks about Ukraine, with out Ukraine.
“Ukraine needed strong security guarantees, further lethal aid and a sovereign future, and it could count on the UK to step up, he added.
“The prime minister reiterated the UK’s dedication to Ukraine being on an irreversible path to NATO, as agreed by allies on the Washington summit final 12 months.
“Discussing the upcoming third anniversary of Ukraine’s courageous defence of its sovereignty in the face of Russia’s barbaric full-scale invasion, the leaders agreed that it would be an important moment to demonstrate international unity and support for Ukraine.
“The leaders additionally mirrored on the prime minister’s go to to Kyiv final month, and the president up to date on his plans at Munich Safety Convention.
“They agreed to stay in close contact.”
A press release on Mr Zelenskyy’s social media mentioned: “I informed Prime Minister Starmer about my discussion with President Trump and contacts with the American side. The Ukrainian and American teams must work together with Europeans and all our global partners to achieve concrete results.
“The safety of every nation will depend on strengthening our collective safety. It’s essential that each new week brings tangible outcomes that can guarantee a long-lasting and dependable peace.
“We also discussed an action plan for the near future to shape a common strategy on security, economic cooperation, and political partnership.”
US officers seem set to fulfill with Russian counterparts on the Munich summit to debate an finish to the preventing in Ukraine following Russia’s invasion virtually three years in the past.
Whereas Mr Trump mentioned Ukraine can be invited to the talks, Kyiv has mentioned it doesn’t count on to have a dialogue with Moscow at the moment.
Mr Trump’s pronouncements on the talks – that Ukraine wouldn’t be capable to return to its 2014 borders nor be part of NATO – have drawn criticism from Russia hawks and supporters of Ukraine.
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John Bolton, who was the president’s nationwide safety adviser in his first time period, mentioned: “Endless concessions to Moscow are a threat to American national security.
“This week the Trump [administration] blew up the NATO place on Ukraine and the Belovezha Accords, which broke up the Soviet Union. This places each different former republic of the Soviet Union prone to Russian aggression.”
In line with the readout of the decision between Sir Keir and Mr Zelenskyy, it doesn’t seem that they mentioned the missile strike on the Chernobyl nuclear powerstation in a single day.
