Sir Keir Starmer has advised Volodymyr Zelensky that he’ll talk about the significance of Ukraine's sovereignty in talks with Donald Trump subsequent week.
Chatting with the Ukrainian President in a cellphone name this morning, the Prime Minister reiterated the UK's "ironclad assist" for Kyiv and stated that he can be "progressing essential discussions" concerning the nation's safety on his go to to Washington.
The upcoming assembly between the 2 leaders comes after Trump launched a verbal assault on Zelensky, the place he branded him a "dictator".
In a readout of a name between Starmer and the Ukrainian president on Saturday, a No10 spokesman 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 warfare.
"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 attain peace via power.
"The Prime Minister repeated that Ukraine should be on the coronary heart of any negotiations to finish the warfare and that safeguarding Ukraine's sovereignty was important to discourage future aggression from Russia.
"The Prime Minister stated he can be progressing these essential discussions within the coming days and weeks, together with with US President Trump while visiting Washington DC subsequent week. The leaders agreed to remain in shut contact."
Trump additionally stated in latest days that Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron, each of whom will go to the White Home subsequent week, "haven’t performed something" to finish the warfare.
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Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the UK, France and different allies have been offering Kyiv with weapons and assist.
Starmer additionally spoke with President of the European Fee Ursula von der Leyen earlier this morning, with the 2 leaders agreeing Europe should "step up" for the great of collective safety on the continent, No10 stated.
"Forward of the three-year anniversary of Russia’s barbaric unlawful warfare, 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," a Downing Road spokesman stated.
Final evening, it was revealed that Starmer is ready to defy Trump with a brand new assist plan for a recent 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 deal of measures, together with navy assist and sanctions, is being drawn up in Whitehall to indicate Britain’s assist for Ukraine.
The MoD is ready to announce the main points of this navy assist, which can embody additional weapons for Ukraine, however that’s but to be signed off.
The International Workplace will even reveal a set of sanctions in opposition to Russia, and crack down on Russian "soiled cash", focusing on Oligarchs supporting Putin.
Whitehall sources have referred to as the measures a "full triple whammy", put in place to underline the UK’s backing for Kyiv.