Starmer calls for continued international support for Ukraine amid fears of potential US pull-out

Sir Keir Starmer has said he wants to “shore up” international support for Ukraine ahead of 1,000th day of Russia’s invasion on Tuesday as he flies to the G20 meeting of world leaders in Brazil.

The Prime Minister wants to use the summit to make the case for continued support for Ukraine amid fears that international backing is waning after the victory in the US Presidential election of Donald Trump.

On Friday, Ukraine President Volodymr Zelensky accused German Chancellor Olaf Scholz of appeasement after he phoned Russian President Vladimir Putin for the first time in nearly two years.

Starmer is reported to be ready to lobby US President Joe Biden at the G20 for the green light to allow Ukraine to launch Russian-made missiles deep into Russia.

Speaking to media outlets including GB News on the flight to the summit in Brazil, Starmer said: “I am going to make shoring up support for Ukraine top of my agenda as we go into the G20 because 1,000 days of aggression 100 days of sacrifice by the Ukrainians – you’ve got the North Korean element now on top of that which has got security implications.

“Therefore I think it’s really important we double down and give Ukraine the support that it needs for as long as it needs it.”

In terms of use of weapons in Russia, the Prime Minister was tight lipped, saying: “Obviously, I’m not going to get into discussing capabilities. You wouldn’t expect me to do that.”