Keir Starmer has reiterated his "unwavering support" for Volodymyr Zelensky in a call with the Ukrainian President this morning.
The UK will host key National Security Advisors, including from the US, Ukraine and European partners, today in Kent ahead of peace talks between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin next Friday.
They are expected to join the Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Vice President of the United States, JD Vance, at Chevening.
PA
|Keir Starmer reiterates 'unwavering support' for Volodymyr Zelensky after drawing a red line over Trump's deal
The meeting, at the request of the US, will discuss next steps on Trump's push for peace in Ukraine, including how allies can support a just and lasting peace.
A Downing Street spokesman said: "The Prime Minister spoke to President Zelenskyy of Ukraine this morning.
"They looked ahead to the meeting of National Security Advisers from Europe, Ukraine and the United States taking place today, hosted by the UK Foreign Secretary and US Vice President.
"They agreed this would be a vital forum to discuss progress towards securing a just and lasting peace.
"Both leaders welcomed President Trump’s desire to bring this barbaric war to an end and agreed that we must keep up the pressure on Putin to end his illegal war. The Prime Minister ended the call by reiterating his unwavering support for Ukraine and its people."
PA
|They are expected to join the Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Vice President of the United States, JD Vance, at Chevening
It comes hours after Donald Trump revealed he will meet with Vladimir Putin next Friday in Alaska.
The US President posted on social media: "Further details to follow."
Earlier today, he said: "We're getting very close to a deal on Ukraine."
About the meeting, he added: "It would have been sooner, but I guess there's security arrangements that unfortunately people have to make. Otherwise, I'd do it much quicker. He would, too. He'd like to meet as soon as possible."
REUTERS
|Donald Trump revealed he will meet with Vladimir Putin next Friday in Alaska
The meeting will be the first time US and Russian leaders have met since 2021, when former US President Joe Biden met Putin in Geneva.
Reports today claim that Putin would be willing to halt the war in exchange for control over Eastern Ukraine.
Trump stated "some swapping of territories to the betterment of both sides" will be included in a peace deal for Ukraine.
The US President said: "You're looking at a territory that's been fought over for three and a half years. A lot of Russians have died. A lot of Ukrainians have died. So we're looking at that, but we're actually looking to get some back, and some swapping."