Keir Starmer & Macron join forces to urge Trump not to abandon Ukraine ahead of high-stakes US trip this week
PRIME Minister Sir Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron agreed to both discuss showing “united leadership in support of Ukraine.”
These discussions are for when they meet separately with US President Donald Trump this week, Downing Street said after the pair spoke on Sunday.
Both Starmer and Macron went over Russia's "barbaric full-scale invasion" and there were reportedly talks of placing Ukraine in the centre of negotiations.
Starmer shared his commitment to support Ukraine and it was said the UK and Europe must be united against "Russian aggression."
A press release posted on revealed more discussions in the US would take place within the coming week.
A Downing Street spokesperson said: "The Prime Minister spoke with President Macron this afternoon.
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"They began by discussing the third anniversary of Russia's barbaric full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which is a stark reminder that we must all work together to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position at this crucial moment for global security.
"The Prime Minister repeated the UK's steadfast commitment to support Ukraine for as long as needed and reiterated the importance of Ukraine being at the centre of any negotiations to end the conflict."
Europe and the UK were said to be looking to scale up to meet security needs, exhibiting further support for Ukraine.
The spokesperson continued: "The UK and Europe must continue stepping up to meet their security needs and show united leadership in support of Ukraine in the face of Russian aggression, which they would both discuss in the US in the coming week.
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"The leaders agreed to stay in close contact."
This comes as Volodymyr Zelensky vows to step down as Ukraine's president in exchange for peace or Nato membership.
Donald Trump is holding peace talks without including Kyiv in discussions, and the Ukrainian leader has responded by offering to leave his position if necessary.
The shock remarks were made at a press conference this weekend as he emphasised that Ukraine's security was his priority.
Zelensky said on Sunday: "If it's about peace in Ukraine and you really want me to leave my position, I am ready to do that [in exchange for peace].
"Secondly I can exchange it for Nato [membership].
"If there is such an opportunity I'll do it immediately without a long conversation about it."
