Downing Street said the two leaders had discussed recent advances towards a peace deal in the Ukraine war when they met following the Pope’s funeral.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy have committed to maintaining the momentum in peace negotiations with Russia. Meeting in Rome, they discussed recent progress and pledged to work with international partners to advance plans for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.

Keir Starmer has contradicted Donald Trump over his Ukraine peace plan by insisting Kyiv must lead the talks. The prime minister insisted the “courageous” Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy was not to blame for the delays to any ceasefire deal,