Sir Keir Starmer must push back against Donald Trump’s “lies” about Ukraine when they meet in Washington next week, former Tory defence ministers have said.

The US president is facing a backlash after claiming Ukraine initiated the war with Russia, despite the fact it was Vladimir Putin’s nation that launched a full-scale invasion three years ago.

Next week, Sir Keir will hold his first face-to-face talks with Mr Trump since he entered the White House in a meeting set to be dominated by the shape of any potential peace deal.

Sir Gavin Williamson, the Tory MP who was defence secretary between November 2017 and May 2019, urged the Prime Minister to push back on Mr Trump’s claims.

Sir Gavin told The Telegraph: “You shouldn’t let untruths and lies take hold. You do have to address them. It is important that we’re dealing with the reality and facts.

“If the Prime Minister can address some of those issues when he sees Donald Trump, that would be good.

“But most importantly he should address some of the wider issues to make sure we do the best for Ukraine, which has been a victim of naked aggression from Russia.”