Starmer set to speak to Trump alongside European leaders ahead of Putin meeting
Sir Keir Starmer is set to join a call with European leaders and Donald Trump on Wednesday, ahead of the US president’s meeting with Vladimir Putin in Alaska.
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The Prime Minister warned on Monday that peace "must be built with Ukraine, not imposed upon it", amid concerns of Kyiv’s exclusion from talks between Mr Trump and his Russian counterpart.
The two leaders are set to meet this Friday to discuss the future of the Kremlin’s invasion, without the presence of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Mr Trump has confirmed.
The US president has also signalled he thinks Ukraine might need to cede territory in order to end the conflict, stating there is likely to be “some land-swapping going on”.
Speaking during a lengthy press conference, Mr Trump pledged to "try to get back" some of Ukraine’s "oceanfront property" from Russia.
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Mr Trump said: "We’re going to change the lines, the battle lines. Russia has occupied a big portion of Ukraine. They’ve occupied some very prime territory. We’re going to try and get some of that territory back for Ukraine.
"They have taken largely – in real estate we call it oceanfront property. That’s always the most valuable property."
Mr Trump said he would speak to the Ukrainian president following the summit and suggested he could meet Mr Putin at a later date.
The call on Wednesday, organised by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, will include Mr Zelenskyy.
In a joint statement earlier this week, the leaders of Britain, France, Italy, Germany, Poland, Finland and the European Commission said: "Ukraine has the freedom of choice over its own destiny.
"Meaningful negotiations can only take place in the context of a ceasefire or reduction of hostilities.
"The path to peace in Ukraine cannot be decided without Ukraine.
"We remain committed to the principle that international borders must not be changed by force."
The Prime Minister and Canada’s Mark Carney had also agreed Ukraine’s future "must be one of freedom, sovereignty and self-determination" during a phone call on Monday.
A Downing Street spokesperson said: "They discussed their unwavering support for Ukraine and ongoing work to stop the killing, and end Russia’s war of aggression.
"Both leaders underscored that Ukraine’s future must be one of freedom, sovereignty and self-determination.
"They welcomed continued international efforts, led by President Trump, to bring peace and agreed that this must be built with Ukraine, not imposed upon it.
"Both leaders agreed they would continue to work closely with President Trump and President Zelenskyy over the coming days. They agreed to stay in touch."
No 10 had earlier backed Mr Trump’s interventions over the war but warned that Mr Putin cannot be trusted "as far as you can throw him".