Sir Keir Starmer today personally told Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky of Britain’s ‘iron-clad’ support for his besieged country.
The Prime Minister offered the assurance as European leaders gathered at a summit in Hungary in the wake of Donald Trump’s stunning US election victory.
The continent’s leaders have broadly congratulated Mr Trump on his imminent return to the White House.
But his win has sparked fresh uncertainty over continued US backing for Ukraine’s fight against Russia’s invasion.
There are also concerns over the future of NATO, with Mr Trump having consistently harangued European members of the alliance for not spending enough on defence.
Speaking in Budapest this evening, Sir Keir said he had spoken with Mr Zelensky at the European Political Community summit in the Hungarian capital.
‘It was an opportunity for me to repeat and affirm our iron-clad support of Ukraine,’ the PM told broadcasters.
But Sir Keir dodged questions on when Labour will meet a target to boost Britain’s defence spending to 2.5 per cent of GDP, or about claims Mr Trump finds him ‘very left-wing’.
Prior to winning July’s general election, Labour pledged to ‘set out a path to spending 2.5 per cent of GDP on defence’.
But, since entering Downing Street, Sir Keir has consistently refused to put a timeline on when his Government will reach that goal.
Pressed on the issue, the PM said tonight: ‘I was very pleased at the Budget last week, we were able to set out £2.9billion of additional spending on defence.
‘That’s really important that money is available. We are committed to the pathway to 2.5 per cent because there’s nothing more important than the safety of our country and the national security of our country.
‘So that remains the commitment.’
Challenged about reports that Mr Trump had privately complained to associates in Britain that Sir Keir is ‘very left-wing’, the PM replied: ‘I had a very good meeting with President-elect Trump a few weeks ago when we had dinner together in New York.
‘That was very positive, very constructive. And, obviously, I had a phone call with him last night. Again, it was very positive, very constructive.’
No10 said Sir Keir had also used his meeting with Mr Zelensky to express his ‘deep concern’ at the growing number of North Korean troops on the Ukraine’s border.
‘He said this was proof of Vladimir Putin’s increasing desperation,’ a Downing Street spokesperson said.
‘He said the UK will continue to stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes for Russia to withdraw.’
The PM also held talks with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, Poland PM Donald Tusk, and Czechia PM Petr Fiala at the Budapest gathering.
Sir Keir’s ambition at the EPC summit had been to encourage greater collaboration between European nations on his bid to ‘smash’ people-smuggling gangs.
The PM said he had chaired a roundtable discussion on the issue at the Hungary gathering, as he looks to ease the Channel migrant crisis.
But the Labour leader has suffered a blow to his hopes of achieving Europe-wide consensus on illegal immigration.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who has been one of Sir Keir’s closest allies on the issue, faces a battle to hold on to power after his ruling coalition collapsed, paving the way for an election.
Earlier, Sir Keir was among the last to arrive at the event in Budapest and was greeted by Hungarian president Viktor Orban inside the gathering, rather than outside in view of waiting cameras.
The PM was due to sign new agreements to intercept criminal gangs smuggling migrants through the Western Balkans, as part of efforts to bring down small boat crossings.
The deals will boost intelligence sharing, expertise and co-operation with Serbia, North Macedonia and Kosovo
Sir Keir was expected to urge European partners to take action to reduce migrant deaths in the Channel and tell them that lawful, international co-operation will be key to efforts.
The Western Balkans is a key route used by migrants who end up in the EU or UK illegally. Almost 100,000 migrants travelled by that route last year.
The deals will boost intelligence sharing and co-operation to intercept the criminal gangs as they smuggle people through these countries.
The aim is to arrest the gangs and break their business models at source.
The UK already works with Albania to target the illicit financial flows that underpin smuggling gang operations.
Ahead of the summit, Sir Keir said: ‘There is a criminal empire operating on our continent, exacting a horrendous human toll and undermining our national security.
‘Backed by our new Border Security Command, the UK will be at the heart of the efforts to end the scourge of organised immigration crime – but we cannot do it in isolation.
‘We need to go further and faster, alongside our international partners, and take the fight directly to the heart of these vile people smuggling networks. I will be making this the central feature of my discussions at the European Political Community meeting today.’