Keir Starmer held a phone call with Donald Trump on Monday night in which he told him Ukraine must be put in the ‘strongest possible position’ to secure a ‘just and lasting peace’
Keir Starmer told Donald Trump that Ukraine must be put in the “strongest possible position” in order to secure a “just and lasting peace” in a phone call on Monday night, Downing Street has said.
The PM made the urgent call to the US President ahead of the US president’s crunch talks with Russia’s Vladimir Putin. Mr Trump and his Russian counterpart are due to speak on Tuesday about the US-Ukraine plan for a 30-day ceasefire. Putin has so far resisted the proposal.
Following a call between Mr Starmer and Mr Trump on Monday night, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “The Prime Minister updated the president on his coalition of the willing call with international leaders that took place on Saturday. He reiterated that all must work together to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position to secure a just and lasting peace.”
It comes as the EU’s foreign affairs chief is to meet David Lammy and John Healey to talk about scaling up economic pressure on Russia and supporting Ukraine. The Foreign Secretary and Defence Secretary are due to meet Kaja Kallas on Tuesday, with conversations expected to touch on EU-UK co-operation on Ukraine, as well as how they can put financial pressure on Moscow and ensure damage in Ukraine is paid for. They are also expected to discuss action against cyberattacks and disinformation.
The discussions are part of efforts from the UK and France to bring together a coalition of nations who would be willing to enforce a peace deal. On Saturday the PM confirmed planning for European peacekeeping forces are entering an “operational” phase.
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Before Tuesday’s meeting, Mr Lammy said: “A strong and secure Britain is a foundation of our Plan for Change. This cannot be achieved without strengthening our shared European security and coming together with our partners to ensure a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. More than three years on since (Russian President Vladimir) Putin’s illegal full-scale invasion, we are facing a once-in-a-generation moment for our continent. It’s vital we upgrade our partnership with the EU and work together to bring an end to this war and deliver security of all of our citizens.”
Mr Healey said: “This Government is stepping up on European security; deepening our defence relationship with our EU and Nato allies is vital during this critical period. European security starts in Ukraine. The UK and EU are united in our resolve to back Ukraine with the military firepower they need to stand up to Russia’s illegal invasion and secure a lasting peace.”
Mr Lammy met US vice president JD Vance in Washington over the weekend and discussed the US’s now-ended pause on military intelligence sharing and the prospect of a ceasefire.
In a post on his Truth Social social media site on Monday night, Mr Trump said: “Many elements of a Final Agreement have been agreed to, but much remains. Thousands of young soldiers, and others, are being killed. Each week brings 2,500 soldier deaths, from both sides, and it must end NOW. I look very much forward to the call with President Putin.”
It comes after Mr Starmer welcomed his Canadian counterpart Mark Carney to Downing Street on Monday. Mr Carney, who replaced Justin Trudeau last week, was among international leaders on a phone call about Sir Keir’s “coalition of the willing” to enforce a peace deal in Ukraine.
More than 30 countries are ready to be involved, either by providing troops or contributing logistics or background support, No 10 said. Mr Starmer still believes a US security guarantee is necessary for his European-led peacekeeping plan to operate successfully, Downing Street said.
