Keir Starmer’s ‘ironclad support’ for Ukraine: Prime Minister vows to back Zelensky and discuss safeguarding Kyiv’s sovereignty with Trump amid tensions
Keir Starmer today vowed to back Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and promised to discuss safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty when he meets with US president Donald Trump, Downing Street said today.
Starmer is due to meet Trump at the White House next week, where is reportedly hoping to defuse the growing transatlantic row that has been growing in recent weeks.
A spokesperson for Number 10 said of the call between himself and Zelensky: ‘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.
‘They agreed that this was a significant moment for the future of Ukraine and European security at large.
‘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.’
Keir Starmer (pictured) today vowed to back Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and promised to discuss safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty when he meets with US president Donald Trump
Starmer is due to meet Donald Trump (pictured) at the White House next week
Ukrainian servicemen of the 43 Artillery Brigade fire a 2S7 Pion self-propelled cannon towards Russian positions at a front line in the Donetsk region on September 27, 2024
Trump claimed that Volodymyr Zelensky (pictured) had ‘no cards’ to play in the battle for the soul of his country
Downing Street later said that Starmer and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen have agreed Europe must ‘step up for the good of collective European security.’
A Downing Street spokesperson said: ‘The Prime Minister spoke to President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen this morning.
‘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.
‘The Prime Minister said he would continue to have these important discussions in coming days and weeks, including during his visit to Washington D.C.
‘The leaders agreed to stay in close contact.’
Last night, it was revealed that Starmer will unveil a ‘triple whammy’ of measures to support Ukraine, including military aid and sanctions against Russia.
The MoD is expected to announce details for military aid for Ukraine, which is expected to include additional weapons for Zelensky’s forces, though hasn’t been signed off yet.
The Foreign Office, meanwhile, will launch a major set of Russian sanctions and the Home Office is expected to launch a crackdown on Russian ‘dirty money’ which may see Putin-backing oligarchs targeted.
This handout photograph taken and released by the Ukrainian State Emergency Service on February 21, 2025 shows firefighters working to push out a fire on an industrial facility after a Russian strike in the Poltava region
Trump and his supporters have roundly criticised the scale of US military and financial support for Kyiv, and he previously labelled Zelensky ‘the greatest salesman on Earth’
The deal appears to have come together with the help of retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, Trump’s envoy to Ukraine whom the president criticized for being too pro-Zelensky earlier Friday
He is also set to launch 2030 as the deadline for increasing defence spending to 2.5%, in line with NATO requirements.
Trump has accused European leaders of not doing enough to support Ukraine, going as far as to attack Starmer himself.
The firebrand Republican told Fox News on Friday: ‘They haven’t done anything. Macron is a friend of mine, and I’ve met with [Sir Keir], he’s a very nice guy … [but] nobody’s done anything.’
Trump has, in recent weeks, taken on an outsized role in talks with Russia that many allies have said lean far too strongly in Vladimir Putin’s favour.
Even before sitting down with Putin in Saudi Arabia, Trump have generous concessions on NATO and Ukrainian territory before talks even started.
He also said he would ‘love’ to see Russia back in the G7 forum, which it was kicked out of in 2014 in response to its aggressive annexation of Crimea from Ukraine.
During the Fox interview, Trump, who has been accused of kowtowing to Russia since taking office in January, added that Zelensky had ‘no cards’ to play in the battle for the soul of his country and that it is not ‘important [for him] to be at meetings.’
More to follow.
