Ukraine is still on an “irreversible path” to joining NATO, Sir Keir Starmer has told Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The UK and Ukrainian leaders spoke on the phone early on Friday, according to Downing Street.
The conversation came less than 24 hours after Donald Trump told reporters at the White House that he didn’t see any way “that a country in Russia’s position” could allow Ukraine to join NATO.
Ukraine war latest: Russian drone strikes Chernobyl site
However, a senior US official had said NATO membership for Ukraine was not off the cards. Mr Trump’s deputy Ukraine envoy, John Coale, said it was still “on the table”.
Mr Trump has repeatedly stated that he wants to end the war in Ukraine, and has said he wants to start negotiations.
He is also pushing for Europe to provide more support for Kyiv, and the US to spend less.
A Downing Street spokesperson said Sir Keir “began by reiterating the UK’s concrete support for Ukraine, for as long as it’s needed”.
They added: “He was unequivocal that there could be no talks about Ukraine, without Ukraine.
“Ukraine needed strong security guarantees, further lethal aid and a sovereign future, and it could count on the UK to step up, he added.
“The prime minister reiterated the UK’s commitment to Ukraine being on an irreversible path to NATO, as agreed by allies at the Washington summit last year.
“Discussing the upcoming third anniversary of Ukraine’s courageous defence of its sovereignty in the face of Russia’s barbaric full-scale invasion, the leaders agreed that it would be an important moment to demonstrate international unity and support for Ukraine.
“The leaders also reflected on the prime minister’s visit to Kyiv last month, and the president updated on his plans at Munich Security Conference.
“They agreed to stay in close contact.”
Read more:
Peace talks risk rewarding Putin
Do Russians believe Trump can stop the war?
Ukraine has every reason to be worried
A statement on Mr Zelenskyy‘s social media said: “I informed Prime Minister Starmer about my discussion with President Trump and contacts with the American side. The Ukrainian and American teams must work together with Europeans and all our global partners to achieve concrete results.
“The security of each nation depends on strengthening our collective security. It is crucial that every new week brings tangible results that will ensure a lasting and reliable peace.
“We also discussed an action plan for the near future to shape a common strategy on security, economic cooperation, and political partnership.”
US officials appear set to meet with Russian counterparts at the Munich summit to discuss an end to the fighting in Ukraine following Russia’s invasion almost three years ago.
While Mr Trump said Ukraine is also invited to the talks, Kyiv has said it does not expect to have a discussion with Moscow today.
Mr Trump’s pronouncements on the talks – that Ukraine would not be able to return to its 2014 borders nor join NATO – have drawn criticism from Russia hawks and supporters of Ukraine.
👉 Follow Trump 100 on your podcast app 👈
John Bolton, who was the president’s national security adviser in his first term, said: “Endless concessions to Moscow are a threat to American national security.
“This week the Trump [administration] blew up the NATO position on Ukraine and the Belovezha Accords, which broke up the Soviet Union. This puts every other former republic of the Soviet Union at risk of Russian aggression.”
According to the readout of the call between Sir Keir and Mr Zelenskyy, it does not appear that they discussed the missile strike on the Chernobyl nuclear powerstation overnight.