Keir Starmer to host Volodymyr Zelensky at Downing Street TODAY

Keir Starmer will host Volodymyr Zelenskyat Downing Street today ahead of crucial talks between the US and Russia tomorrow.

The PM yesterday said there is a "viable" chance of reaching a ceasefire in the Ukraine war because of Donald Trump's work. He said Britain stands ready to "increase pressure" on Russia if necessary after holding virtual calls with the US President, Mr Zelensky and other European leaders.

The talks came ahead of high stakes in-person talks between Mr Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska on Friday. It comes after Putin warned of nuclear war after unleashing another night of hell on Ukraine.

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Briefing the Coalition of the Willing after the calls, Mr Starmer said: "As I've said personally to President Trump, for three and a bit years this conflict has been going on and we haven't got anywhere near the prospect of actually a viable solution, a viable way, of bringing it to a ceasefire. And now we do have that chance because of the work that the President has put in."

The PM also thanked the countries in the Coalition of the Willing who have contributed to military plans "which are now ready in a form, which can be used if we do get to that ceasefire".

Yesterday, following the talks, Mr Trump warned Putin he faces severe consequences if he walks away from their Alaska summit without a stop to the war in Ukraine.

When pushed on what these consequences would be, he said: “I don’t have to say.” He added: “If I do not get the necessary answers during the meeting with Putin, there will be no next meeting.”

It was hours after Mr Zelensky told Mr Trump the Russian leader is lying. The wartime leader said in a joint briefing in Berlin with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz: “I told the US president and all our European colleagues that Putin is bluffing. He is trying to apply pressure before the meeting in Alaska along all parts of the Ukrainian front. Russia is trying to show that it can occupy all of Ukraine.”

After the talks, Mr Zelensky said Mr Trump supports providing security guarantees for Ukraine if there is a peace agreement. He said: “There should be security guarantees. President Trump said that he supports this and about America’s readiness to take part.”

Elsewhere, the wartime leader accused Putin of “bluffing” ahead of Russia-US talks. The UkrainianPresident said the situation at the frontline on the battlefield was discussed during the calls, adding: “I told the US President and all our European allies that Putin is bluffing. He’s trying to push forward along the whole front. And Putin is also bluffing, saying he doesn’t care about the sanctions and that they’re not working. In reality, the sanctions are very effective and they’re hurting the Russian military economy.”

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