Starmer insists Iran war must not help Russia

RUSSIA'S President Vladimir Putin cannot be allowed to benefit from the Iran war, the Prime Minister told Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky yesterday during his visit to the UK.

- PRESS ASSOCIATION REPORTERS

Sir Keir Starmer said Russia should not reap the rewards of higher global oil prices and benefit from the easing of sanctions as a result of Middle East instability. Mr Zelensky, who also met King Charles at Buckingham Palace during his trip to London, thanked the UK for support during a “difficult winter” for his country, during which Mr Putin's forces targeted critical energy infrastructure during freezing conditions.

Sir Keir welcomed Mr Zelensky to Downing Street for talks also attended by Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte. The Prime Minister said: “I think it's really important that we are clear that the focus must remain on Ukraine. There’s obviously a conflict in Iran going on, in the Middle East, but we can’t lose focus on what's going on in Ukraine and the need for our support.”