Political correspondent Damian Grammaticas and news correspondent Tom Symonds report that Sir Keir Starmer will be discussing the importance of Ukraine’s sovereignty in upcoming talks with Donald Trump. The UK prime minister expressed unwavering support for Kyiv during a call with President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday. This call marked the second conversation between the two leaders in four days, following President Trump’s decision to improve relations with Russia and work towards ending the conflict in Ukraine.
Downing Street disclosed that the prime minister emphasized the need for Ukraine to be central to any negotiations aimed at resolving the conflict. Sir Keir assured Zelensky of the UK’s dedication to achieving a just and lasting peace to bring an end to Russia’s unlawful war. The leaders recognized the significance of this moment for Ukraine and European security as a whole.
Additionally, Sir Keir engaged in a separate discussion with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen on Saturday. They both agreed on the necessity for Europe to escalate efforts for the sake of collective European security. These talks come amidst a flurry of diplomatic activities as European leaders strive to navigate President Trump’s sudden shift in approach towards Russia.
In response to the changing dynamics, protests erupted in London as people expressed concerns over the US position on Ukraine. A march from the Ukrainian embassy to the Russian embassy saw individuals voicing their opposition to what they perceived as appeasement by President Trump. Among the demonstrators was Margaret Owen, who voiced her disapproval, drawing parallels to historical events like the Munich Agreement. The chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, Emily Thornberry, emphasized the importance of Ukraine’s involvement in peace negotiations, pushing for a more diplomatic approach to influence President Trump’s decisions. Ukrainian student Oleksandra Udovenko joined the protest to advocate for her country’s independence and right to self-determination in the face of global powers
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