Downing Street New president has changed debate on war 'for the better'

Donald Trump has changed the global conversation around Ukraine "for the better", Downing Street has said, as the UK imposed further sanctions on Russia to force Vladimir Putin to make concessions.

- Pippa Crerar Kiran Stacey

As world leaders yesterday marked the third anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Keir Starmer's official spokesman said the US president had opened the door to talks that could eventually bring lasting peace. However, continuing the UK's careful response before Starmer's visit to the White House this week, he did not comment directly on Trump's false claims that Volodymyr Zelenskyy was a dictator, which have helped shatter the transatlantic consensus on the conflict.

On a day of frenetic diplomatic activity, Starmer, speaking via video link to world leaders gathered in Kyiv, said Trump had "changed the global conversation over the last few weeks" around Ukraine. "It has created an opportunity. Now we must get the fundamentals right," he added.

Pressed by reporters over whether Starmer had meant Trump's explosive interventions had changed things for better or worse, his spokesman said: "Absolutely for the better. He's brought about these talks that could bring lasting peace in Ukraine, which is what we all want to see."