Keir Starmer assures Volodymyr Zelensky of Britain’s ‘iron-clad’ support for Ukraine as European leaders muster in wake of Donald Trump’s election win – but PM dodges on when Labour will meet 2.5% defence spending target [Video]

13:36 EST 07 Nov 2024, updated 20:19 EST 07 Nov 2024

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 …