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| Starmer speaks to European allies in diplomatic push on Ukraine | Starmer speaks to European allies in diplomatic push on Ukraine |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Sir Keir Starmer has held a call with leaders from the EU, Turkey, Norway, Iceland and Canada as part of the ongoing diplomatic push on Ukraine. | Sir Keir Starmer has held a call with leaders from the EU, Turkey, Norway, Iceland and Canada as part of the ongoing diplomatic push on Ukraine. |
| During the meeting, the non-EU countries were briefed on the EU's plans to step up defence, which include freeing up €800bn (£670bn) for military spending. | During the meeting, the non-EU countries were briefed on the EU's plans to step up defence, which include freeing up €800bn (£670bn) for military spending. |
| European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the move would help Europe protect "our people, territories and assets" and help "the long-term security of our brave neighbour Ukraine". | European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the move would help Europe protect "our people, territories and assets" and help "the long-term security of our brave neighbour Ukraine". |
| UK Defence Secretary John Healey earlier returned from Washington DC, where he met with his US counterpart Pete Hegseth to discuss ending Russia's war on Ukraine. | UK Defence Secretary John Healey earlier returned from Washington DC, where he met with his US counterpart Pete Hegseth to discuss ending Russia's war on Ukraine. |
| Addressing Hegseth, he said: "You challenged us to step up on Ukraine, on defence spending, on European security - and I say to you that we have we are and we will further." | Addressing Hegseth, he said: "You challenged us to step up on Ukraine, on defence spending, on European security - and I say to you that we have we are and we will further." |
| Hegseth said UK leadership was "critical" adding that "European leadership of Nato, led by the UK and others is we believe the future of defence on the continent". | Hegseth said UK leadership was "critical" adding that "European leadership of Nato, led by the UK and others is we believe the future of defence on the continent". |
| The US has paused military aid to Ukraine and stop sharing intelligence as it reviews "all aspects of this relationship". | The US has paused military aid to Ukraine and stop sharing intelligence as it reviews "all aspects of this relationship". |
| In a televised speech, French President Emmanuel Macron said "I want to believe the US will stay at our side, but we must be ready if that is not the case." | In a televised speech, French President Emmanuel Macron said "I want to believe the US will stay at our side, but we must be ready if that is not the case." |
| The UK and France have said they are willing to provide peacekeeping troops to Ukraine and are urging other European countries to join what they have called a "coalition of the willing". | The UK and France have said they are willing to provide peacekeeping troops to Ukraine and are urging other European countries to join what they have called a "coalition of the willing". |
| According to UK officials about 20 countries are interested in joining the coalition, although would not necessarily offer to send troops, but instead provide other support. | According to UK officials about 20 countries are interested in joining the coalition, although would not necessarily offer to send troops, but instead provide other support. |
| But Sir Keir has said that in order to be effective their presence in Ukraine must be backed by security guarantees from the US. | But Sir Keir has said that in order to be effective their presence in Ukraine must be backed by security guarantees from the US. |
| US President Donald Trump has so far avoided committing to such support, instead arguing that the presence of American workers in Ukraine as part of a potential minerals deal, would be sufficient to deter Russia from further invading Ukraine. | US President Donald Trump has so far avoided committing to such support, instead arguing that the presence of American workers in Ukraine as part of a potential minerals deal, would be sufficient to deter Russia from further invading Ukraine. |
| Russia has flatly rejected such a move saying it would amount to "direct, official and unveiled involvement of Nato members in the war against Russia". | Russia has flatly rejected such a move saying it would amount to "direct, official and unveiled involvement of Nato members in the war against Russia". |
| Talks between the US and Ukraine aimed at reaching an agreement will take place next week in Saudi Arabia. | Talks between the US and Ukraine aimed at reaching an agreement will take place next week in Saudi Arabia. |
| Speaking in Washington, Healey said: "It's a lasting, secure peace that we all want to see. We've got a big role to play in Europe and we are determined to do that." | Speaking in Washington, Healey said: "It's a lasting, secure peace that we all want to see. We've got a big role to play in Europe and we are determined to do that." |
| Hegseth dismissed as "garbage" suggestions that under Trump's leadership the US was becoming "pro-Russia". | Hegseth dismissed as "garbage" suggestions that under Trump's leadership the US was becoming "pro-Russia". |
| He said the president was "working with both sides in a way that only President Trump can". | He said the president was "working with both sides in a way that only President Trump can". |
| Progress towards an agreement appeared to take a step back after Trump and Zelensky had a dramatic row in front of cameras in the Oval Office. | Progress towards an agreement appeared to take a step back after Trump and Zelensky had a dramatic row in front of cameras in the Oval Office. |
| However, Hegseth said the US president was "very encouraged by the signs we're seeing" from Ukraine. | However, Hegseth said the US president was "very encouraged by the signs we're seeing" from Ukraine. |
| On Thursday the UK's Ministry of Defence signed a £30m deal with an Anglo-American firm to provide Ukraine with Altius 600m and Altius 700m systems, designed to monitor an area before striking incoming targets. | On Thursday the UK's Ministry of Defence signed a £30m deal with an Anglo-American firm to provide Ukraine with Altius 600m and Altius 700m systems, designed to monitor an area before striking incoming targets. |
| Chancellor Rachel Reeves also announced a £2.26bn loan to Ukraine, funded by the profits generated from frozen Russian assets. | |
| On Friday, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal confirmed they had received the first tranche of the loan, amounting to £752m. | |
| In a social media post, he said: "I am grateful to Keir Starmer, the UK government and our G7 partners for the mechanism to make Russian money work for Ukraine. | |
| "We expect all sovereign assets of the Russian federation to be confiscated and transferred to benefit our country in the future." | |
| Earlier this week, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey urged the prime minister to seize the frozen Russian assets held in the UK. | |
| Sir Keir replied there were "ongoing discussions" but that the situation was "complicated". | |
| The Liberal Democrats are now calling on the attorney general to publish the legal advice on taking the assets. | |
| The party's shadow attorney general Ben Maguire said: "We need the chance to properly scrutinise the decision-making on this crucial issue, so the UK can then make the right choice for Ukraine." |