Sir Keir Starmer has hailed Volodymyr Zelensky’s desire for a “just and lasting peace” in Ukraine, amid worries a Russian land grab could result from negotiations to end the war.
The Prime Minister and French President Emmanuel Macron chaired a meeting of the coalition of the willing on Sunday afternoon, where European leaders prepared for a meeting with Donald Trump alongside Mr Zelensky in Washington on Monday.
European leaders appear poised to join Mr Zelensky in a show of solidarity with the Ukrainian president, after his last encounter with his American counterpart in the Oval Office resulted in a diplomatic crisis.
Giving a readout of the video call between coalition allies, a Downing Street spokesman said: “The leaders reaffirmed their continued support to Ukraine, and praised President Zelensky’s desire for a just and lasting peace as he prepares for further consultations with President Trump in Washington DC.
“The leaders also commended President Trump’s commitment to providing security guarantees to Ukraine, in which the coalition of the willing will play a vital role through the Multinational Force Ukraine, among other measures.
“They re-emphasised the readiness to deploy a reassurance force once hostilities have ceased, and to help secure Ukraine’s skies and seas and regenerate Ukraine’s armed forces.”
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