PM vows 'unwavering support' for Ukraine after Trump call with Putin

Keir Starmer vowed 'unwavering support' for Ukraine today after Donald Trump's two-hour call with Putin ended with more Russian demands.

At PMQs, Sir Keir made clear the UK would stand alongside Volodymyr Zelensky after Moscow only agreed to work towards a limited ceasefire on energy infrastructure - rather than the unconditional ceasefire the US wanted.

Putin also laid out that he would not accept a settlement without 'complete cessation of foreign military aid and the provision of intelligence to Kyiv'. 

Britain and European allies have already signalled that will not be happening. The PM's official spokesman said: 'We will always continue to support Ukraine militarily for as long as it takes to put Ukraine in the strongest position possible.' 

Mr Trump described the conversation with the Russian dictator as 'great' last night, insisting he was working to avoid 'World War Three'. 

But Boris Johnson was among the UK politicians warning that Putin is 'laughing at us', while ex-defence secretary Ben Wallace said the Russian 'plays better chess than Trump' and accused the US of chasing a 'rotten' deal. 

The American and Russian leaders agreed to try for a package to stop attacks on Ukraine's power grid, as well as Kyiv's raids on Russia's critical refineries.

Mr Trump voiced hope that would pave the way for a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea, and then a full and sustained end to the fighting.

But almost immediately there was another round of Russian attacks on Ukraine, with Mr Zelensky calling for action after Putin 'rejected the proposal for a full ceasefire'. 

Sir Keir told the Commons: 'Last night, I spoke to President Zelensky to discuss progress that (US) President (Donald) Trump had made with Russia towards a ceasefire.

'And I took the opportunity to reaffirm our unwavering support to the people of Ukraine.'

No10 had earlier given a very guarded response to the outcome of the call, referring to 'the progress President Trump has made towards a ceasefire'.

The spokeswoman added: 'This process must lead to a just and lasting peace for Ukraine.

'We will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes to ensure Russia can never launch an illegal invasion again.'

Mr Trump told Fox News that he wanted to get the war 'over with' and suggested that 'Russia has the advantage'.

The Republican said: 'Right now, you have a lot of guns pointing at each other and a ceasefire without going a little bit further would have been tough.'

He argued that his push for a ceasefire was part of a larger bid to keep US troops out of conflict.

'Look, we're doing this – there are no Americans involved. There could be if you end up in World War III over this, which is so ridiculous,' he said. 'But, you know, strange things happen.'

Mr Zelensky has said he would support American efforts to stop strikes on his country's energy grid.

But the Ukrainian leader said he hoped to speak to Mr Trump to understand what he and the Russian leader discussed.

After a fresh round of Russian attacks last night, Mr Zelensky said: 'Today, Putin effectively rejected the proposal for a full ceasefire. 

'It would be right for the world to respond by rejecting any attempts by Putin to prolong the war. Sanctions against Russia. 

'Assistance to Ukraine. Strengthening allies in the free world and working toward security guarantees. 

'And only a real cessation of strikes on civilian infrastructure by Russia, as proof of its willingness to end this war, can bring peace closer.' 

Asked in a round of interviews this morning whether Britain was committed to sharing arms and intelligence with Ukraine, government minister Stephen Timms said: 'We've given absolutely unbending support to Ukraine throughout all of this, including in both of the respects that you've just mentioned, and we will continue to do so.'

Western nations, including the UK, have condemned Russia for attacks on facilities used to generate electricity for Ukraine's population, though the Kremlin has denied such strikes have taken place.

Ahead of crunch talks between the two presidents, David Lammy signalled the UK and EU are planning to speed up arms shipments to Ukraine ahead of a full ceasefire.

The Foreign Secretary told Bloomberg that Kyiv's European allies intended to 'put Ukraine in the strongest possible position militarily and economically'.

Mr Lammy and Defence Secretary John Healey both met Kaja Kallas, the EU's high representative on foreign affairs, to discuss Ukraine and Europe's security.

Speaking to Ms Kallas, Mr Healey said the UK and EU recognised the need to 'maintain our strong support for Ukraine'.

According to the White House, Mr Trump and Mr Putin agreed in their call 'that the movement to peace will begin with an energy and infrastructure ceasefire, as well as technical negotiations on implementation of a maritime ceasefire in the Black Sea, full ceasefire and permanent peace.

'These negotiations will begin immediately in the Middle East.'

The Kremlin, meanwhile, said Mr Putin told Mr Trump that America and its allies must end military and intelligence assistance to Ukraine to halt hostilities.

The Prime Minister spoke to Mr Trump on Monday ahead of the call.

He and French President Emmanuel Macron have been leading efforts to form a 'coalition of the willing' made up of nations prepared to offer troops or support to a peacekeeping force if there is a deal to end the war.

Mr Putin has said he agrees in principle to a ceasefire but has put a series of conditions on any peace plan.

The US president said Washington and Moscow have already begun discussing 'dividing up certain assets' between Ukraine and Russia as part of a deal to end the conflict, which could include Mr Putin being handed land and power plants by Kyiv.

Such a move would cause unease in Europe, being seen as a reward for Russia's invasion of its neighbour.