UK PM Reaffirms Support for Ukraine in Call with President Zelenskyy Following Latest Russian Attacks.
London:
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer held a call this afternoon with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in which he condemned the latest wave of Russian missile strikes and reiterated the UK’s steadfast support for Ukraine’s defence and sovereignty.
The call came in the wake of what officials described as “barbaric Russian attacks” on Ukraine’s critical national infrastructure overnight, as the country braces for another difficult winter under siege. The Prime Minister expressed his “heartfelt condolences” to those affected by the strikes and said the attacks demonstrated yet again that President Vladimir Putin is not serious about pursuing peace.
“The systematic targeting of civilian infrastructure is a blatant attempt to weaponise winter against the Ukrainian people,” said the Prime Minister, according to a Downing Street readout. “It is more vital than ever that Ukraine receives the military equipment it needs to defend itself and protect its citizens.”
The two leaders discussed the importance of sustaining international pressure on Russia through sanctions and strategic coordination. The Prime Minister briefed President Zelenskyy on his earlier discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, noting that all three leaders are aligned in their determination to accelerate efforts to unlock the value of immobilised Russian sovereign assets.
“Our goal is to drive progress towards using these frozen funds to support Ukraine’s defence and reconstruction, and ultimately to help bring about a just and lasting peace,” the Prime Minister said.
The leaders also touched on the need for continued unity among allies as new sanctions packages are prepared in the coming weeks. Both agreed that increasing the economic cost to Russia is essential to curbing its capacity to sustain the war effort.
The conversation ended with both leaders reaffirming their commitment to staying in close contact as developments unfold. They expressed confidence in the ongoing collaboration between the UK and Ukraine, both on the battlefield and at the diplomatic level.
Downing Street confirmed that the Prime Minister and President Zelenskyy “look forward to speaking again soon” as the UK continues to play a leading role in international support for Ukraine.
