UK Premier, NATO chief talk about Doha, Ukraine’s situation

(MENAFN) UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer met with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at Downing Street on Tuesday after the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) gathered in London.

Downing Street reported that the two leaders discussed the situation in Doha, with Starmer condemning the recent attack and highlighting the importance of preventing further escalation in the region.

On Ukraine, they reviewed the battlefield developments and emphasized the necessity of providing Kyiv with essential military support.

Rutte shared details from the UDCG meeting held earlier in the day, where allies pledged to intensify backing for Ukraine, including through the Coalition of the Willing. Both leaders welcomed the inclusion of US contributions in the coalition’s strategy.

They also concurred on the need to increase pressure on Russia, including through sanctions, as a way to push President Vladimir Putin toward meaningful peace negotiations.

Earlier on Tuesday, Rutte also met separately with UK Defense Secretary John Healey, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, Ukrainian Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal, and German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, according to NATO.

Rutte commended Britain’s pledge to raise defense spending and acknowledged its leadership role, alongside France, in advancing long-term security guarantees for Ukraine.

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