LONDON

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron reaffirmed their commitment to showing "united leadership in support of Ukraine" as they prepared to meet separately this week with US President Donald Trump.

The two European leaders held talks Sunday to emphasize the importance of placing Ukraine at the center of any discussions aimed at ending the war with Russia.

Downing Street confirmed the dialogue, underscoring the resolve of both Starmer and Macron to present a unified European position against Russia in the wake of recent tensions between Kyiv and Washington.

“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,” it said.

The move follows Trump's remarks about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in which he called him a “dictator without elections.”

His sharp remarks, including accusations that Starmer and Macron “haven’t done anything” to end the war, have added further fuel to the fire.

The disagreements were further compounded when reports revealed that Russian and US representatives had made headway in discussions aimed at ending the war without involving Ukraine in the talks.

The prospect of sidelining Ukraine in peace negotiations has drawn widespread international condemnation, with many expressing concern that it would undermine Ukraine's sovereignty and its role in shaping its own future.