ISTANBUL 

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday held a “good and detailed” phone conversation with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer to discuss joint efforts toward ceasefire and long-term peace.

Zelenskyy said the conversation highlighted continued cooperation between Ukraine, the UK, France and the US, ahead of a new round of talks set for Wednesday in London.

“We are ready to move forward as constructively as possible, just as we have done before,” he wrote on X.

He reiterated that an unconditional ceasefire must be the first step toward peace, adding: “This Easter made it clear that it is Russia’s actions that are prolonging the war.”

The Ukrainian president also noted they discussed working together in broader European security formats. “Thank you, Britain!” he added.

The UK, along with France, is leading the so-called “coalition of the willing” to provide peacekeeping forces if a peace deal is reached between Russia and Ukraine.​​​​​​