Sir Keir Starmer urged Volodymyr Zelensky to return to the White House and patch up his relationship with Donald Trump after the shouting match in the Oval Office, it has emerged.

The televised showdown between the US President and his Ukrainian counterpart on Friday saw Mr Trump accuse Mr Zelensky of “gambling with World War Three” and being “disrespectful” towards America. The Ukrainian delegation was then ejected from the White House.

Later that evening, Sir Keir telephoned Mr Zelensky to try to persuade him to return to the White House, and then called Mr Trump in an attempt to lower the temperature. His efforts came to no avail, as the Americans told him that tempers needed calming before any return to discussions.

Mr Zelensky has since come under pressure from other European leaders to try and make up with Mr Trump. Mark Rutte, the Nato Secretary General, said that he also urged a rapprochement.

Mr Rutte told the BBC: “I said: I think you have to find a way, dear Volodymyr, to restore your relationship with Donald Trump and the American administration. That is important going forward.”