Sunak sidesteps question on whether UK would push Ukraine to make peace deal
The Prime Minister pointed to the UK’s continued support for Ukraine when asked about Lord David Cameron’s reported talks with Donald Trump.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Rishi Sunak would not be drawn on whether the UK was now in favour of Ukraine accepting a peace deal, instead pointing to the country’s ongoing support for Kyiv and defence spending.
After a speech in central London on Monday, Mr Sunak was asked about a report that Lord David Cameron persuaded Donald Trump to back more funding for Ukraine on the basis that it would allow Mr Trump to secure a peace deal between Moscow and Kyiv.
Mr Sunak responded by referring to the UK’s “track record of leadership” in support for Ukraine by providing tanks, long-range weapons, bilateral security assurances and training Ukrainian soldiers, saying maintaining this support was “the right thing to do” and that “everyone should be proud of it”.
He added: “When it comes to the Americans … whilst we are enormously grateful for the continued support and investment they put into European security, it’s not right to rely on American taxpayers to do that if we’re not prepared to make sacrifices for our own security. Now I am. That’s the decision I’ve made on defence spending.
“So when I’m in the US or when I talk to Americans and David Cameron does, when Grant Shapps (Defence Secretary) does, we’re able to say we are leading. We are investing more than anyone else in European security. It’s the right thing to do, others need to do the same and ensure that our alliance remains strong.”
An unnamed senior source told the Sunday Times that when Lord Cameron visited Mr Trump in his Florida home, the Foreign Secretary suggested that maintaining financial support for Ukraine’s military would be beneficial for Mr Trump.
Lord Cameron reportedly suggested that if Mr Trump won the US presidential election in January and inherited a stalemate, it would provide him the ideal conditions to make a deal. Mr Trump came out in support of a US aid package for Ukraine shortly afterwards.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman told reporters that he did not recognise the Sunday Times report.
The spokesman said: “We have been unequivocal in our position, Putin must fail in his illegal war in Ukraine. We will support Ukraine for as long as necessary to repel Russian aggression.”
Asked whether Mr Sunak and Lord Cameron were “on the same page” on Ukraine, the spokesman told reporters: “Yes, absolutely.”