British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has vowed to put Ukraine in "the strongest possible position for negotiations."
Speaking at the Lord Mayor's Banquet in London's Guildhall on Tuesday, Starmer pushed continued support for Kyiv and emphasized the dangers facing European security, stability and prosperity should Russia win its war against Ukraine.
He said: "We must continue to back Ukraine and do what it takes to support their self-defense for as long as it takes.
"To put Ukraine in the strongest possible position for negotiations so they can secure a just and lasting peace on their terms that guarantees their security, independence and right to choose their own future."
Newsweek has reached out to the U.K.'s Cabinet Office and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine for comment via email.
Starmer's speech comes as tensions between Russia and Ukraine have escalated dramatically following President Joe Biden's authorization for Ukraine to use long-range weapons. The two countries have launched a series of devastating attacks at each other over the past two weeks, including Ukraine's use of U.S.-made ATACMS missiles and Anglo-French Storm Shadow missiles in strikes on Russia.
Starmer also said on Tuesday: "The further Russian troops advance, the closer the threat becomes. The more land they control, the more they control grain prices and energy sources, the more confident Putin becomes."
The Prime Minister added that the U.K. will continue to strengthen its armed forces and said that it is "vital that all European nations step up to protect our shared future."
In previous statements about Ukraine, Starmer has said that the ongoing war should end with Russia leaving Ukraine's internationally recognized borders.
Starmer's speech is one of many by global leaders urging continued support for Ukraine since Donald Trump's reelection, with concerns over the possibility of diminished American assistance for Ukraine.
Trump has previously pushed for an end to the war, saying that he would end it "within 24 hours" and would cut off military aid for Kyiv.
Soon after the U.S. election, Starmer met with French President Emmanuel Macron to discuss plans for Ukraine, and if they could persuade Biden to give Ukraine permission to fire Storm Shadow missiles into Russia.
Since the beginning of the war in February 2022, the U.K. has provided Kyiv with £12.8 billion ($16.2 million) in aid and has committed £3 billion in military support per year until the war ends.
The NATO member's aid has comprised of £7.8 billion in military support and £5 billion in non-military support.
The U.K. has assisted Ukraine in terms of training personnel and providing military equipment. It has also given fiscal support through a World Bank loan, provided funds for humanitarian aid and raised money to cover recovery and reconstruction projects in Ukraine.
It has also welcomed 217,400 Ukrainian refugees into the country.
U.K. Foreign Secretary David Lammy has echoed Starmer's statements about continued support for Ukraine, saying: "Investment in Ukraine's security is investment in Euro-Atlantic and global security. 99 percent of military support to Ukraine has been from NATO allies. This support is critical to enabling Ukraine to defend itself against Russian aggression, and the U.K. and allies must double down on our efforts to ensure Ukraine prevails.
"This government has been clear that Europe must do more together now by increasing defense spending. This is a strategic imperative for our whole continent."
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