Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is assembly Volodymyr Zelensky in Downing Avenue, because the Ukrainian president seeks to shore up European assist for his nation’s warfare effort.
Zelensky mentioned he would share particulars of his “victory plan” in the course of the assembly, whereas Sir Keir pledged his “continued dedication and assist” for Ukraine.
The talks come because the battle with Russia heads into its third winter and amid the prospect of Donald Trump, who’s extensively thought of to be much less supportive of Ukraine, successful the US presidential election in November.
Mark Rutte, the brand new head of the Nato army alliance, has additionally arrived at Downing Avenue to participate within the talks with Zelensky.
The Nato chief may also maintain a one-to-one assembly with the prime minister, whereas Zelensky will head to France and Italy to proceed his European diplomatic tour.
A crimson carpet was specified by Downing Avenue for Zelensky’s arrival and the 2 leaders shook arms and embraced on the steps of No 10.
Talking in No 10, the Ukrainian president mentioned: “Due to the UK folks, the folks of your nice nation, on your [strength in us] from the very starting of the warfare.”
Zelensky mentioned he would share particulars of Ukraine’s so-called victory plan, a technique for the following section of the warfare. The president has been searching for to garner renewed assist for his warfare efforts in current weeks.
Sir Keir mentioned it was “crucial we’re in a position to present our continued dedication to assist Ukraine” and it was an opportunity to “undergo the plan, to speak in additional element”.
“That is such an necessary battle for you and for us as effectively,” the prime minister mentioned.
An agenda for the Downing Avenue talks has not been made public, however Zelensky is prone to press Sir Keir for permission to make use of British-supplied missiles on Russian territory.
He has publicly known as for his forces to be allowed to focus on Russian army logistic targets deep inside Russia utilizing Storm Shadow missiles however has to this point been pissed off in his efforts. The US additionally wants to offer permission for the missiles for use inside Russia.
Ukraine had hoped a deliberate summit later this week in Ramstein, Germany, which was set to carry the nation’s greatest army backers collectively, would yield motion on using long-range missiles.
However that summit has been delayed as a result of US President Joe Biden is unable to attend whereas he oversees the emergency response to Hurricane Milton, which has precipitated widespread injury in Florida.
Russia has made modest however strategically necessary features on the battlefield in current weeks, although a decisive breakthrough from both aspect stays elusive.
Zelensky is keenly conscious that US assist for Ukraine could cool if Trump returns to the White Home, which would go away Ukraine extra depending on European allies just like the UK.
The UK has contributed £12.8bn to Ukraine in army and different assist since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022, and greater than 200,000 Ukrainian refugees have briefly settled within the UK.
Since taking workplace, the prime minister has continued the coverage of the earlier Conservative authorities in providing robust monetary and diplomatic assist for Ukraine’s warfare effort.
It’s the second time Zelensky has visited Downing Avenue since Sir Keir was elected prime minister. In July, the Ukrainian president turned the primary international chief to be hosted at No 10 for the reason that change of presidency.
Whereas Sir Keir was nonetheless chief of the opposition, he additionally met Zelensky in Ukraine in February, and held talks with him at a Nato summit in July.
That assembly of Nato nations noticed the bloc promise Ukraine an “irreversible path” to membership, one thing the Ukrainian authorities considers important for its safety.
