Sunak pledges ‘steadfast support’ of Ukraine

Rishi Sunak makes first statement as Prime Minister

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The new Prime Minister has suggested he may be planning a trip to Ukraine to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky following a phone call they had on Tuesday. Mr Sunak tweeted: “A privilege to speak to the President of Ukraine this evening. Both he and the Ukrainian people can count on the UK’s continued solidarity and support.

“We will always stand with Ukraine.”

The Prime Minister also used his phone call with US President Joe Biden to reiterate that the “United States and the United Kingdom are the closest of allies” and that the two leaders will continue playing a “leading role in support of the people of Ukraine”.

A spokesperson for the Prime Minister said that Mr Sunak reiterated the UK’s “steadfast support” for Ukraine and that such support will be “as strong as ever”.

The spokesperson said of the phone call with President Zelensky: “Both leaders agreed on the need to continue to place pressure on Putin’s barbaric regime through continued economic sanctions.

“President Zelensky 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.”

President Zelensky and former Prime Minister Boris Johnson had a hugely positive relationship with the Ukrainian leader often praising Johnson for his support of the Ukrainian people.

Mr Johnson even had a street named after him in Ukraine in thanks for his support, giving Mr Sunak some big shoes to fill on the international stage.

Mr Sunak vowed that the “terrible war…must be seen successfully to its conclusion” as President Zelensky said he was “ready to continue strengthening the strategic partnership” with the United Kingdom.

The Prime Minister also “noted the importance” of the work of the International Atomic Energy Agency in Ukraine to “ensure nuclear safety” and “provide transparency around any disinformation”.

In a tweet to Mr Sunak, President Zelensky wished the new PM to “overcome all the challenges facing British society and the whole world today”.

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The newly appointed leader certainly has his work cut out for him as he vowed to work day in and day out to solve the issues currently hanging over the nation.

Alongside the issue of Ukraine and defence spending, Mr Sunak’s biggest concern will be getting the economy back on track, including decisions about the Energy Price Guarantee and reassuring the markets of economic stability.

The PM will also be focusing on the NHS, the Northern Ireland Protocol which plagued Liz Truss in September, and a number of other pressing issues including Union strikes and border control.

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