Keir Starmer insisted Kyiv is on an ‘irreversible path’ to joining Nato today as he vowed solidarity after Trump’s bombshell call with Putin.
The PM spelled out his view that there can be ‘no talks about Ukraine without Ukraine’ as he spoke to Volodymyr Zelensky this morning.
The intervention puts the UK firmly alongside European allies in signalling concerns about the stance being developed by the US.
Mr Trump and the Russian dictator had ‘a lengthy and highly productive’ phone conversation earlier this week, during which they agreed that talks to end the conflict should start ‘immediately’.
But any peace deal is expected to see Russia keep territory it has annexed since 2014, including the Crimean peninsula – a huge blow to Kyiv after three years of fighting for freedom.
There was also deep disquiet that Ukraine joining Nato – an official policy of the alliance – had been effectively ruled out.
Keir Starmer spelled out his view that there can be ‘no talks about Ukraine without Ukraine’ as he spoke to Volodymyr Zelensky this morning
Mr Zelensky has been warning that the US does not appear to have a plan for a peace deal
Foreign Secretary David Lammy met US Vice President JD Vance at the Munich Security Conference this morning
Sir Keir had an impromptu phone chat with Mr Trump last night, after being handed the phone by the US envoy during their dinner
Meanwhile, Mr Trump is demanding that European Nato powers commit to spending 5 per cent of GDP on defence – a level the US itself does not reach. The UK is one of the biggest spenders but has yet to set out a timetable to hit 2.5 per cent.
A Downing Street spokeswoman said Sir Keir and Mr Zelensky spoke this morning, ahead of an anticipated meeting between the Ukraine leader and US Vice President JD Vance in Munich later.
‘The Prime Minister began by reiterating the UK’s concrete support for Ukraine, for as long as it’s needed.
‘He was unequivocal that there could be no talks about Ukraine, without 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 commitment to Ukraine being on an irreversible path to NATO, as agreed by Allies at the Washington Summit last year.
‘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 also reflected on the Prime Minister’s visit to Kyiv last month, and the President updated on his plans at Munich Security Conference.
‘They agreed to stay in close contact.’
Meeting Vice President JD Vance at the Munich Security Conference this morning, Foreign Secretary David Lammy described the US-UK relationship as ‘more than just an alliance, it’s a covenant between two partners’.
He added: ‘We are committed to increasing defence and encourage our friends across Europe to do the same, and of course we have got important issues to discuss on Ukraine and how we support Ukraine at this difficult moment, and also broader issues of UK-US security.’
Mr Vance said: ‘Honestly, we have a lot in common, and the special relationship between the United Kingdom and the United States will remain very strong.
‘We are going to talk about something that he and I spoke about a couple of years ago, which is our shared belief that Europe really should take a big role in its own security, and I’m glad the Foreign Secretary agrees with me on that.
‘I think there are other issues of common agreement, I’m sure we will talk about Russia-Ukraine.’
Politicians from across parties voiced alarm in the Commons yesterday after the US president’s call with Putin.
Mr Trump and the Russian dictator had ‘a lengthy and highly productive’ phone conversation earlier this week, during which they agreed that talks to end the conflict should start ‘immediately’