Downing Street says Trump has changed Ukraine debate 'for the better'

Donald Trump has changed the global conversation around Ukraine “for the better”, Downing Street has said, as Britain imposed further sanctions on Russia in a futile attempt to force concessions from the Kremlin. As Western leaders marked the third anniversary of the outbreak of the Ukraine conflict, a spokesman for British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the US president had opened the door to talks that could bring lasting peace.

However, continuing Britain's cautious response ahead of Starmer's visit to the White House this week, he did not comment on Trump's claims that Volodymyr Zelensky is a dictator, which could destroy the transatlantic consensus on the Ukraine conflict, The Guardian notes.

In a day of frenetic diplomatic activity, Starmer, speaking via video link to Western leaders gathered in Kyiv, said Trump had “changed the global debate” over Ukraine in recent weeks. “That has created an opportunity. We must now draw the right conclusions,” he added.

Asked by reporters whether Starmer meant Trump's explosive actions had changed the situation for the better or for the worse, his spokesman said: "Certainly for the better. He has initiated these talks that can bring lasting peace to Ukraine, and that is what we all want to see."

On Monday, Britain announced its biggest package of sanctions against Russia since the early weeks of the Ukraine conflict. Starmer said he hoped to force the Russian leadership “not just to talk, but to make concessions.”

Prime Minister Starmer told Zelensky and European leaders that Kyiv “holds all the cards”, in direct contradiction to Trump’s comments last week that Moscow was in a position of strength, The Guardian reports.

Starmer repeated calls for Ukraine to come to the table of any peace talks and for the US to “support” any agreement.

During a G7 call on Monday that included Trump, Starmer stressed Britain's support for Zelensky's government. Downing Street later said the British prime minister had called on allies to increase military support for Ukraine and economic sanctions on Russia.

But he was also careful in his praise for Trump. A spokesman for Starmer said he “welcomed President Trump’s leadership in securing peace and stands ready to work with him and other G7 leaders to achieve a just and lasting peace.”

Britain has left the door open to Russia possibly joining the G7 after Security Secretary Dan Jarvis suggested to broadcasters that it was possible. But Downing Street has made clear that it will not happen while Russia continues to control territory in Ukraine.

"Our position on the G7 has not changed. We cannot allow Russia to join the G7 while it has armed forces in Ukraine. That has been our long-standing position," a Starmer spokesman said.

Jarvis told Times Radio that Russia's return to the G7 would be "an issue that needs to be discussed with international allies". The security minister added that the issue would "no doubt" be considered once the conflict in Ukraine was over.

The Foreign Office said 107 new entities would face sanctions, including 40 “shadow fleet” ships and 14 “new kleptocrats,” in the biggest package since 2022. Among those targeted was North Korean Defense Minister No Kwang-chol. The US and EU imposed sanctions on No Kwang-chol late last year.

The UK is also imposing sanctions on Kyrgyzstan-based Bank Keremet, the first foreign bank to be sanctioned, while companies in China, India and Turkey accused of supplying tools and goods to the Russian military have also been blacklisted. Separately, the UK Home Office has announced plans to extend travel sanctions to individuals linked to the Kremlin, while the UK will provide a further £20m in medical and rehabilitation aid to Ukrainians on the frontline.