The UK's support for Ukraine will be as “strong as ever”, new Prime Minister Rishi Sunak told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in their first call.
Mr Sunak said the UK’s support would for Kyiv would continue under his leadership, following his predecessors Boris Johnson and Liz Truss.
Calling it a “privilege” to speak to Mr Zelenskyy, who earlier sent him congratulations on becoming the new prime minister, Mr Sunak tweeted: “Both he and the Ukrainian people can count on the UK’s continued solidarity and support.
“We will always stand with Ukraine.”
Mr Zelenskyy, in a tweet, called it an “excellent conversation”, with the two agreeing to “write a new chapter” in relations between the two countries.
Speaking outside Number 10 on Tuesday, Mr Sunak referred to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine twice, saying: “Putin’s war in Ukraine has destabilised energy markets and supply chains the world over.”
Downing Street said the pair spoke on Tuesday evening “to underline the United Kingdom’s steadfast support for Ukraine”.
“The prime minister said the United Kingdom’s support for Ukraine would be as strong as ever under his premiership, and President Zelenskyy could count on his government to stand in continued solidarity.
“The prime minister also noted the importance of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s work in Ukraine to ensure nuclear safety and provide transparency around any disinformation.
“Both leaders agreed on the need to continue to place pressure on Putin’s barbaric regime through continued economic sanctions.
“President Zelenskyy congratulated the prime minister on his appointment and wished him a happy Diwali. The prime minister thanked him and said he hoped they would see each other in person soon.”
Rishi Sunak through the years — in pictures
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British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announces July 4 as the date for the 2024 general election at No 10 Downing Street. Here, The National looks back at his political career. Getty Images -
Mr Sunak during local election campaigning in Teesside in May 2024. Getty Images -
Mr Sunak presents cupcakes to journalists on board a plane on the way to Warsaw in April 2024. Getty Images -
Mr Sunak during a press conference in Downing Street in January after the Safety of Rwanda Bill passed its third reading in the House of Commons. Getty Images -
Being applauded after his speech at the Conservative Party conference in October 2023. Getty Images -
Looking pensive alongside then-home secretary Suella Braverman at No 10 in October 2023. She didn't last much longer in the cabinet. Getty Images -
Mr Sunak sits in an old Special Branch police vehicle which was used to transport former prime minister Margaret Thatcher, in July 2023. Getty Images -
On board Border Agency cutter HMC Seeker during a visit to Dover in June 2023. Getty Images -
Mr Sunak alongside European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, US President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz during the G7 Summit in May 2023. Getty Images -
Mr Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty arriving in Japan ahead of the G7 Summit in May 2023. Getty Images -
Mr Sunak and Chancellor Jeremy Hunt sending a message at Accrington Market Hall in January 2023. Getty Images -
Mr Sunak and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy meet in Ukraine's capital Kyiv in November 2022. Getty Images -
King Charles III welcomes Mr Sunak during an audience at Buckingham Palace, where he invited the newly elected leader of the Conservative Party to become Prime Minister and form a new government in October 2022. Getty Images -
Mr Sunak makes a statement outside No 10 in October 2022 after taking office. Getty Images -
Mr Sunak arrives inside Number 10 in October 2022. Photo: Simon Walker/ No 10 Downing Street -
Greeted by colleagues at Conservative Party HQ after having been announced winner of the leadership contest in October 2022. Getty Images -
Mr Sunak at Westminster Hall in London following the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022. PA -
Mr Sunak visits his family's old business, Bassett Pharmacy, on the campaign trail in August 2022. Getty Images -
Mr Sunak looks at an NLAW anti-tank launcher during a visit to the Thales Defence System plant in Belfast in August 2022. Getty Images -
At a hustings event in Exeter in August 2022. Getty Images -
Celebrates England's first goal as he watches the Women's Euro 2022 final in Salisbury in July 2022. Getty Images -
Mr Sunak and Ms Truss take part in the BBC Leadership debate at Victoria Hall, Hanley, in July 2022. Getty Images -
With daughters Krisna and Anoushka and wife Akshata Murthy in July 2022. Getty Images -
Opening the Great Ayton Village Fete during the queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June 2022. Getty Images -
Mr Sunak and Ms Murthy speak to then-Prince Charles at a British Asian Trust event in February 2022. Getty Images -
Mr Sunak arrives at COP26 in Glasgow in November 2021 when he was chancellor. Getty Images -
Holding the budget box as he departs 11 Downing Street to deliver his Autumn Budget in October 2021. Getty Images -
At a press conference on the 2021 Budget in London in March 2021. Getty Images -
With former prime minister Boris Johnson during a visit to PD Ports on the River Tees in March 2021. Getty Images -
Mr Sunak poses with the budget box at 11 Downing Street in March 2021. Getty Images -
Meeting staff back at work after being furloughed at Hamleys toy shop in London, December 2020. Photo: HM Treasury -
Mr Sunak visits the Imperial Clinic Research Facility at Hammersmith Hospital, London, in November 2020. Getty Images -
Lighting a candle for Diwali on Downing Street, November 2020. Getty Images -
Working on a speech in his flat above 11 Downing Street in November 2020. Photo: HM Treasury -
Mr Johnson and Mr Sunak visit the headquarters of Octopus Energy in London in October 2020. Getty Images -
With his 'Winter Economy Plan' outside 11 Downing Street in September 2020. AFP -
Decorating a plate at Emma Bridgewater pottery in Stoke pottery in September 2020. Getty Images -
Promoting 'eat out to help out' on the Isle of Bute, Scotland, in August 2020. Getty Images -
A member of the public takes a selfie with Rishi Sunak during a visit to Scotland in August 2020. AFP -
Visiting a Wagamama restaurant in central London in July 2020. Photo: HM Treasury -
Rishi Sunak visits a Pret A Manger in Westminster in July 2020. HM Treasury -
With Mr Johnson at his first Cabinet meeting after a reshuffle at 10 Downing Street in February 2020. Getty Images -
Mr Sunak speaks during a general election debate in Cardiff in November 2019. Getty Images
In a congratulatory message to Mr Sunak earlier, French President Emmanuel Macron said the two countries would work together to tackle the challenge of the war in Ukraine.
Ms Truss was widely criticised after she declined to say whether Mr Macron was a “friend or foe” when asked during the previous Tory leadership contest.
Mr Macron later suggested it was a “problem” if Britain could not call itself a friend of France.
Ms Truss eventually hailed him as a friend when the pair met at the first summit of the European Political Community in Prague.
‘Mistakes were made’: Rishi Sunak delivers first speech as UK prime minister — video
In his message to Mr Sunak, Mr Macron tweeted: “Congratulations to Rishi Sunak, who has become Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
“Together we will continue working to tackle the challenges of the moment, including the war in Ukraine and its many consequences for Europe and the world.”
UAE president Sheikh Mohamed also sent a message of congratulations to the new leader, saying he looked forward to future collaborations between both countries.
“Congratulations to Rishi Sunak on becoming Prime Minister of the United Kingdom,” Sheikh Mohamed wrote on Twitter.
“The UAE and UK share a deeply rooted history of friendship and partnership, and I look forward to building on our strong ties to benefit our two nations and our people.”
US President Joe Biden called the UK his country's “closest ally” during his first call with Mr Sunak.
The British prime minister will meet Mr Biden in the coming weeks at the Group of 20 summit in Indonesia.
Mr Biden congratulated Mr Sunak on his appointment, said a Downing Street representative.
Only in recent days has Mr Biden appeared to publicly criticise Liz Truss’s doomed economic strategy, in rare comments on UK politics by the US president.
Rishi Sunak: What's next for UK politics? — video
Relations between the two countries have been somewhat strained in recent years amid UK-EU tension over post-Brexit arrangements in Northern Ireland, with White House concerns over the impact on peace in the region.
The issue appears to have come up in the call, details released by Downing Street show. The war in Ukraine and the rising power of China were also topics of conversation.
“President Biden congratulated the prime minister on his appointment and the leaders looked forward to working closely together,” the Downing Street representative said.
“President Biden said that the UK remains America’s closest ally, and the prime minister agreed on the huge strength of the relationship.
“The leaders discussed the extent of UK-US co-operation, both bilaterally and in regions such as the Indo-Pacific where the Aukus pact forms part of our efforts to enhance stability and counter China’s malign influence.
“They reflected on the leading role our countries are playing in supporting the people of Ukraine and ensuring Putin fails in this war.
“The prime minister and President Biden also agreed on the need to ensure the people of Northern Ireland have security and prosperity through preserving the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement.
“The leaders looked forward to meeting in person at the upcoming G20 summit in Indonesia.”
