UK PM updates US president on expanding Ukraine coalition amid ongoing talks

Keir Starmer, UK Prime Minister, has maintained strong diplomatic ties with US President Donald Trump, speaking to him on the phone last night to discuss the ongoing war in Ukraine.

According to Downing Street, the conversation focused on efforts to bring an end to the conflict, with Trump sharing his intention to speak with Russian President Vladimir Putin directly, Caliber.Az reports per  foreign media.

During the call, Starmer emphasized the importance of Ukraine being in the "strongest possible position" to ensure a "just and lasting peace." He provided an update to Trump on the ongoing efforts of the "coalition of the willing," a group comprising over 30 countries that are supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression.

Earlier, Starmer said that the coalition is bigger than it was two weeks ago - when the term was first floated after a meeting of European leaders and Canada.

As negotiations continue on Ukraine's future, the world will be watching closely.

Ukraine's allies will meet once again on March 20 for military talks, with the aim of nailing down the details on what types of support will be on the table if a ceasefire deal is agreed.

Asked about vital US military support for any European-led operation – what’s being called a “backstop” – the prime minister was clear: the US position had not changed.

Unless Donald Trump’s position on the backstop changes, Keir’s coalition of the willing could struggle to get off the ground.

The timing of the discussion aligns with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's continued calls for greater international pressure on President Putin to accept a ceasefire proposal.

Vafa Guliyeva