Keir Starmer will meet Ukrainian President in the UK today.

Volodymyr Zelensky is set to hold talks with the Prime Minister, hours after at least seven people were killed in Russian air and drone strikes in Kyiv.

Mr Zelensky branded Russia, North Korea and Iran a "coalition of killers" and said he would be sounding the alarm duuring his visit. He said: “After the strikes on Iran’s nuclear program facilities, there was a lot of noise from Moscow – the Russian leadership demonstratively condemned the ‘rocket-bomb’ steps.

“Today, Moscow is silent after the Russian army launched an absolutely cynical strike with Russian-Iranian [drones] and missiles on the civilian infrastructure of Kyiv and other our cities and communities. In Kyiv alone, five apartment buildings were damaged.

“These are ordinary residential buildings. As of now, six people are known to have been killed.”

And the Ukrainian leader continued: “Everyone in the countries next to Russia, Iran, and North Korea should think about whether they will be able to protect life there if this coalition of killers persists and continues to spread terror.

“Today, during my visit to Britain, I will talk to my partners about exactly this - about our defence, which should become the basis for a much stronger common defence. And we will also agree on new and strong steps to put pressure on Russia for this war and to stop the strikes.”

It comes after Mr Zelensky claimed that Vladimir Putin's Russia is gearing up for military operations in Europe. The Ukrainian leader said his country is "preparing joint decisions for defence, in particular with the United Kingdom and the European Union" and promised to keep allies in the loop.

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