The US president called Ukraine’s leader a “dictator” on Wednesday and later said the British Prime Minister and French President Emmanuel Macron, both of whom will visit the White House this week, “haven’t done anything” to end the war.
A Number 10 spokesperson said that during the call with President Zelensky, Sir Keir had reiterated the UK’s “ironclad support for Ukraine and commitment to securing a just and enduring peace to bring an end to Russia’s illegal war”.
“Ahead of the three-year anniversary of Russia’s barbaric illegal war, they discussed the need to secure a just and enduring peace in Ukraine, and agreed that Europe must step up for the good of collective European security,” a Downing Street spokesperson said of his meeting with Ms von der Leyen.
In a call with the Ukrainian president on Saturday, the Prime Minister said he would be “progressing important discussions” about Kyiv’s security on his visit to Washington, Downing Street said.
Some European leaders have openly condemned Mr Trump’s remarks about Ukraine, which have included suggesting Kyiv “started” the war, and Sir Keir has faced pressure to challenge the president when he visits Washington.
