The Prime Minister reiterated Britain’s ‘ironclad’ backing for Kyiv in a series of conversations with allies over the weekend.
Sir Keir Starmer is set to join world leaders in a virtual meeting hosted by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to mark the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion. The UK has announced a fresh wave of sanctions targeting Kremlin-linked elites as part of its ongoing support for Ukraine.
The Prime Minister reaffirmed Britain’s unwavering commitment to Kyiv in discussions with allies over the weekend. As he prepares for a crucial visit to the United States, Sir Keir will advocate for stronger safeguards to protect Ukraine’s sovereignty. His participation in Monday’s high-level call, which will include leaders from the G7 and Europe, comes amid delicate transatlantic relations and growing pressure for a unified stance against Russian aggression.
Expanded sanctions against Russian elites
As the war enters its fourth year, the UK government has intensified its efforts to isolate Russia. The Home Office has expanded its travel sanctions, targeting local and federal politicians, as well as senior figures in large Russian enterprises. The latest measures add to existing restrictions on high-profile oligarchs such as Roman Abramovich.
Defence Secretary John Healey stressed the importance of maintaining Ukraine’s strength both on the battlefield and in diplomatic negotiations.
“Keeping the Ukrainians in their fight and as strong as possible at any negotiating table is critical not only for them but for the security of the UK. These new measures send a powerful message that we will do what it takes to turn the tables on Putin’s aggression.”
Security Minister Dan Jarvis reinforced the government’s hardline approach, vowing to block Kremlin-aligned figures from UK entry.
“My message to Putin’s friends in Moscow is simple: you are not welcome in the UK.”
Navigating transatlantic tensions
Sir Keir’s upcoming visit to Washington presents a key test of his leadership as he seeks to balance European unity with maintaining a strong relationship with the US. Tensions have surfaced following comments from former President Donald Trump, who referred to Zelensky as a “dictator” and suggested Ukraine was responsible for initiating the war.
Sir Keir has positioned the UK as a crucial intermediary between Europe and the US, particularly as President Joe Biden faces internal challenges over America’s long-term commitment to Ukraine. Meanwhile, reports indicate White House officials have engaged in discussions with the Kremlin regarding a possible end to the war—conversations from which Ukraine and its European allies have been excluded.
Starmer’s diplomatic outreach
Over the weekend, Number 10 confirmed that Sir Keir had spoken with French President Emmanuel Macron, agreeing on the need for “united leadership” in support of Ukraine. He also held talks with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who is set to chair Monday’s joint call, where both leaders emphasised the necessity of international collaboration to achieve lasting peace and security.
In a second call with President Zelensky within three days, Sir Keir assured him that advancing Kyiv’s security would be central to discussions in Washington. He reaffirmed that Ukraine must be actively involved in any negotiations and that its sovereignty must be upheld to deter future Russian aggression.
“Nobody wants the bloodshed to continue, least of all the Ukrainians. But after everything they have suffered, after everything they have fought for, there can be no discussion about Ukraine without Ukraine, and the people of Ukraine must have a long-term, secure future.”
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Pressure to increase defence spending
The Prime Minister is also under growing pressure to commit to a clear timeline for raising UK defence spending to 2.5% of national income. The US has urged European nations to take greater responsibility for regional security, and ministers previously indicated that a roadmap to achieving this target would be outlined in the spring’s strategic defence review.
Trump’s recent comments at the Conservative Political Action Conference (Cpac) in Washington have added urgency to the debate. The former president suggested that a deal to end the conflict was within reach, stating, “We’re pretty close to a deal. We better be close to a deal because that has been a horrible situation.”
However, Zelensky has rejected any arrangement negotiated without Ukraine’s direct involvement, stating that his country would not accept decisions made by Moscow and Washington alone.
As Starmer prepares to address world leaders, his diplomatic challenge will be to reinforce the UK’s steadfast support for Ukraine while managing transatlantic tensions that could shape the course of the war in the months ahead.
