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Sir Keir Starmer has reaffirmed Britain will back Ukraine’s “irreversible path” to joining Nato despite US President Donald Trump appearing to rule out membership.<\/p>\n
The prime minister told Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky the UK stood by a pledge made alongside ex-president Joe Biden at last year’s Nato summit in Washington, to back Ukraine’s bid for membership.<\/p>\n
The two leaders spoke on the phone ahead of global leaders meeting for fresh talks in Munich on Friday.<\/p>\n
Sir Keir’s comments are in stark contrast to those of the Trump administration, which has said this week that Nato membership for Ukraine is not a “realistic prospect”.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
In a readout of the call, a Downing Street spokeswoman said: “The Prime Minister began by reiterating the UK’s concrete support for Ukraine, for as long as it’s needed.<\/p>\n
“He was unequivocal that there could be no talks about Ukraine, without Ukraine.<\/p>\n
“Ukraine needed strong security guarantees, further lethal aid and a sovereign future, and it could count on the UK to step up, he added.<\/p>\n
“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.”<\/p>\n
The leaders agreed it was an “important moment to demonstrate international unity and support for Ukraine” and “agreed to stay in close contact”, the statement added.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n