US President Donald Trump has “changed the global conversation over the last few weeks” around Ukraine, Keir Starmer has said.
The Prime Minister also said the UK is willing to provide troops on the ground to enforce peace in Ukraine.
He made the comments while speaking via video link to a Kyiv conference marking the third-anniversary of the start of the Ukraine war against Russia.
Sir Keir, who is set to meet Trump in the US later this week, said: “In this crucial moment as talks begin – we must work together to shape the outcome.”
He continued: “If we want peace to endure, Ukraine must have a seat at the table and any settlement must be based on a sovereign Ukraine backed up with strong security guarantees.
“The UK is ready and willing to support this with troops on the ground, with other Europeans and with the right conditions in place, and ultimately, a US backstop will be vital to deter Russia from launching another invasion in just a few years’ time.
“So we will do everything we can to get the best outcome for Ukraine and for us all.”
Sir Keir said the UK and its allies must “keep dialling up the economic pressure to get Putin to a point where he is ready not just to talk, but to make concessions”.
Speaking via video link to a conference of global leaders in Kyiv, the Prime Minister added: “So today, we’re announcing the UK’s largest packet of sanctions since the early days of the war, going after Russia’s shadow fleet and going after companies in China and elsewhere who are sending military components.
“Later today, I will be discussing further steps with the G7 and I’m clear that the G7 should be ready to take on more risk, including the oil price cap, sanctioning Russia’s oil giants and going after the banks that are enabling the evasion of sanctions.”
The Prime Minister is set to travel to the Washington later this week to meet with the US President.
The UK is with Ukraine “today and every day”, Sir Keir said during his speech to show solidarity with Volodymyr Zelensky’s embattled nation.
Speaking via video link to a Kyiv conference, the Prime Minister said: “I have a very simple, clear message today, the UK is with you today and every day, from His Majesty the King to the NHS workers volunteering in hospitals in Ukraine to the communities that took Ukrainian refugees to their heart.
“That’s why I signed our 100-year partnership with President Zelensky last month.”
