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Ukraine Russia war: Starmer backs Zelensky after Trump calls him 'dictator' Ukraine Russia war: Starmer backs Zelensky after Trump calls him 'dictator'
(about 1 hour later)
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has backed Volodymyr Zelensky as a "democratically elected leader" after Donald Trump described the Ukrainian president as a "dictator".Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has backed Volodymyr Zelensky as a "democratically elected leader" after Donald Trump described the Ukrainian president as a "dictator".
Sir Keir called Zelensky on Wednesday evening and told him it was "perfectly reasonable" for Ukraine to "suspend elections during wartime as the UK did during World War Two", Downing Street said.Sir Keir called Zelensky on Wednesday evening and told him it was "perfectly reasonable" for Ukraine to "suspend elections during wartime as the UK did during World War Two", Downing Street said.
The US president had earlier criticised Zelensky, saying he had done a "terrible job" and claiming "he refuses to have elections" in Ukraine.The US president had earlier criticised Zelensky, saying he had done a "terrible job" and claiming "he refuses to have elections" in Ukraine.
Zelensky's five-year term was due to end in May 2024, but elections have been suspended since martial law was declared after Russia's invasion.Zelensky's five-year term was due to end in May 2024, but elections have been suspended since martial law was declared after Russia's invasion.
Sir Keir will travel to Washington DC next week for his first in-person meeting with Trump.Sir Keir will travel to Washington DC next week for his first in-person meeting with Trump.
The PM has said he wants to use his meeting next week to discuss a "US backstop" that he says is necessary to deter Russia from attacking Ukraine again.The PM has said he wants to use his meeting next week to discuss a "US backstop" that he says is necessary to deter Russia from attacking Ukraine again.
But the deepening rift between the US and Ukraine has now increased the political jeopardy for him.But the deepening rift between the US and Ukraine has now increased the political jeopardy for him.
Sir Keir has said he would be prepared to deploy British troops to Ukraine to help guarantee its security as part of a peace deal provided there was a US "backstop".
Western officials said the number of land troops involved would be less than 30,000, with the aim of providing reassurance to the Ukrainian people, rather than a peacekeeping force.
In his phone call with Zelensky, Sir Keir "stressed the need for everyone to work together", a Downing Street spokesperson said.In his phone call with Zelensky, Sir Keir "stressed the need for everyone to work together", a Downing Street spokesperson said.
"The prime minister reiterated his support for the US-led efforts to get a lasting peace in Ukraine that deterred Russia from any future aggression," they added."The prime minister reiterated his support for the US-led efforts to get a lasting peace in Ukraine that deterred Russia from any future aggression," they added.
Zelensky said they had discussed "upcoming plans and opportunities", adding: "UK's support matters indeed, and we will never forget the respect the British people have shown for Ukraine and our citizens."Zelensky said they had discussed "upcoming plans and opportunities", adding: "UK's support matters indeed, and we will never forget the respect the British people have shown for Ukraine and our citizens."
Volodymyr Zelensky and his wife Elena casting their votes during the last, 2019 Ukrainian presidential election
There has been widespread criticism of Trump's comments around the world - including from Sweden's prime minister as well as German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who said it was "simply wrong and dangerous".There has been widespread criticism of Trump's comments around the world - including from Sweden's prime minister as well as German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who said it was "simply wrong and dangerous".
Trump's former vice-president, Mike Pence, also criticised the comments, posting on X: "Mr President, Ukraine did not 'start' this war. Russia launched an unprovoked and brutal invasion claiming hundreds of thousands of lives."Trump's former vice-president, Mike Pence, also criticised the comments, posting on X: "Mr President, Ukraine did not 'start' this war. Russia launched an unprovoked and brutal invasion claiming hundreds of thousands of lives."
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch also defended the Ukrainian leader, writing on X that Zelensky was "the democratically elected leader of Ukraine who bravely stood up to Putin's illegal invasion".Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch also defended the Ukrainian leader, writing on X that Zelensky was "the democratically elected leader of Ukraine who bravely stood up to Putin's illegal invasion".
But Badenoch said Trump was "right that Europe needs to pull its weight" and called on Sir Keir to "get on a plane to Washington and show some leadership".But Badenoch said Trump was "right that Europe needs to pull its weight" and called on Sir Keir to "get on a plane to Washington and show some leadership".
Watch: Trump repeats 'dictator' comments concerning President Zelensky
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said calling Zelensky a dictator "must be where the line is drawn" and he hoped "the whole political spectrum... will speak with one voice in opposition to Trump's lies".Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said calling Zelensky a dictator "must be where the line is drawn" and he hoped "the whole political spectrum... will speak with one voice in opposition to Trump's lies".
Former Conservative PM Boris Johnson posted on X to say "of course Ukraine didn't start the war".Former Conservative PM Boris Johnson posted on X to say "of course Ukraine didn't start the war".
"Trump's statements are not intended to be historically accurate but to shock Europeans into action," he added."Trump's statements are not intended to be historically accurate but to shock Europeans into action," he added.
The wider question is whether this moment leads to a shift in the UK government's willingness to criticise Trump. Watch: Trump repeats 'dictator' comments concerning President Zelensky
Often the read-outs - official summaries from the government of calls between the prime minister and world leaders - are quite bland. According to Western officials, there are now preliminary discussions about providing a reassurance force to Ukraine.
The summary of the call from Downing Street went out of its way to describe President Zelensky as Ukraine's democratically elected leader and said it was perfectly reasonable to suspend elections during wartime - directly contradicting Trump earlier in the day. This force could use drones and intelligence gathering planes to monitor Ukrainian cities, critical infrastructure and ports rather than have troops in the east of the country.
On Thursday, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy told the BBC the government's aim was to "take the heat out of this situation" and get all sides around the table to ensure a negotiated end to the war. This would be part of plans to restore a safe international airspace over Ukraine and make the waters of the Black Sea secure.
Western officials said there might be larger land forces based in countries bordering Ukraine.
They also said that any US backstop is more likely to be in the form of airpower rather than troops on the ground and that these aircraft may be based in countries neighbouring Ukraine such as Poland and Romania.
Russia's ambassador to the UK, Andrei Kelin, again rejected the idea of foreign peacekeeping troops being allowed in Ukraine in the event of any peace deal.
Speaking to BBC Newsnight, the Russian ambassador to the UK said Moscow would not accept troops from the UK or other European nations in Ukraine, even if Trump approved the idea.
Mr Kelin also questioned whether there could be a potential peace agreement without fresh elections in Ukraine.
'Not sure' Ukrainians would choose Zelensky as next leader, says Russian ambassador
Trump's attacks came after Zelensky accused the US president of living in a "bubble" of Russian disinformation.Trump's attacks came after Zelensky accused the US president of living in a "bubble" of Russian disinformation.
The US and Russia's relations have grown closer in recent days, after officials met in Saudi Arabia and agreed to negotiate an end to the war.The US and Russia's relations have grown closer in recent days, after officials met in Saudi Arabia and agreed to negotiate an end to the war.
Ukraine and European leaders were not invited to the talks.Ukraine and European leaders were not invited to the talks.
Russia's ambassador to the UK, Andrei Kelin, again rejected the idea - that had been suggested by some European leaders - of foreign peacekeeping troops being allowed in Ukraine in the event of any peace deal.
Sir Keir has said he would be prepared to deploy British troops to Ukraine to help guarantee its security as part of a peace deal provided there was a US "backstop".
'Not sure' Ukrainians would choose Zelensky as next leader, says Russian ambassador
Speaking to BBC Newsnight, the Russian ambassador to the UK said Moscow would not accept troops from the UK or other European nations in Ukraine, even if Trump approved the idea.
Mr Kelin also questioned whether there could be a potential peace agreement without fresh elections in Ukraine.
Asked if his country would give back some of the territory it had seized from Ukraine, the Russian ambassador said: "Why should we? We have liberated these territories, upon which Russian people are living for centuries."
Ukrainian opposition politician Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze defended Zelensky's legitimacy as leader, stating free and fair elections could not be held during wartime.
"I would like to see a change in the government, but Zelensky has the mandate of the people," she told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
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