British Foreign Secretary David Lammy will meet with several European counterparts on Monday to discuss support for Ukraine and strengthen regional defense cooperation ahead of Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s summit with European Union leaders next week.
That’s according to Reuters, Ukrinform reports.
“We are facing a once-in-a-generation moment for the collective security of our continent. The challenge we face today is not only about the future of Ukraine – it is existential for Europe as a whole,” Lammy said in a statement.
Britain’s foreign ministry said that UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy was due to hold talks with representatives of France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Poland and the EU.
The ministry also added that Lammy planned to announce further sanctions targeting actors supporting Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
It is noted that at a summit with EU leaders on May 19, Starmer is hoping to reach a new defense agreement with the bloc and improve post-Brexit.
As reported by Ukrinform, on May 10, Ukraine and its allies—France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Poland—proposed a 30-day unconditional ceasefire. If rejected, Ukraine’s allies plan to strengthen sanctions against Russia.
Later, Putin proposed holding direct negotiations with Ukraine “where they were interrupted” in 2022 – in Istanbul, Türkiye.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky reiterated Ukraine’s readiness to meet with representatives of Russia, but only if a full ceasefire is in place starting May 12.
Photo credit: Jonathan Brady/PA
Source: Britain to host EU foreign ministers’ meeting on defense and Ukraine
