Zelenskyy, UK's Starmer hold talks on defense cooperation, more sanctions on Russia

By Alperen Aktas​​​​​​​

ISTANBUL (AA) – Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer in London on Monday and had talks focusing on bolstering defense cooperation and imposing more sanctions on Russian military production.

Zelenskyy said the main goal remains “to save as many lives as possible” by stopping Russian strikes and pushing Russia toward peace.

The Ukrainian leader outlined three key priorities from the talks: stronger political and diplomatic coordination, expansion of joint defense production, and sanctions on Russian enterprises involved in manufacturing military systems such as Oreshnik.

“Cooperation with Russian weapons manufacturers is a crime against peace,” Zelenskyy said, urging sanctions on companies not yet targeted by existing restrictions.

He also met with UK parliamentary leaders, including House of Commons Speaker Lindsay Hoyle and House of Lords Speaker John McFall, to discuss transatlantic unity and the role of parliaments in resisting Russian aggression.

Zelenskyy expressed appreciation for the UK’s continued support, adding that “thousands of Ukrainians indeed feel at home” in the country.

The meeting marks the first official talks between Zelenskyy and Starmer since the UK general election last July, reaffirming London’s longstanding support for Kyiv.