Sir Keir Starmer and Volodymyr Zelensky agreed on the “importance of refining” the UK’s training offering for the Ukrainian armed forces to “further strengthen Ukraine’s capability on the battlefield”, he said. declared number 10.

The prime minister and Ukraine’s president spoke Monday morning and also agreed that what happens in the conflict in the coming months “matters for NATO.”

According to a readout of Monday’s call from Number 10, “President Zelensky reflected on the situation on the front lines in Ukraine and the need to ensure that Ukraine can degrade Russian forces in the long term.”

“What happens in Ukraine in the coming weeks and months is important for Europe and NATO, and it was vital that President Putin’s ambitions failed in Ukraine,” the leaders agreed. »

The statement added: “The leaders discussed Operation Interflex, the UK-led training mission for Ukrainian recruits, and agreed on the importance of refining its offering to further strengthen the capability of the Ukraine on the battlefield. »

It comes amid speculation that the UK could consider sending troops to Ukraine to help train its armed forces.

Last week, Defense Secretary John Healey said it was a “critical time” for Ukraine and promised the UK would “step up” its aid.

Speaking to LBC during a visit to the Ukrainian capital kyiv, Mr Healey said: “This is undoubtedly a critical time for Ukraine.

“The Russians are putting pressure on Ukraine on the front line, but Putin himself is showing signs of weakness, calling on North Korean troops to reinforce his own army, abandoning Assad and failing to defend his own positions in Syria.”

He added: “I’m here to discuss with the Ukrainians and the Ukrainian defense minister about our joint plan for 2025 and I’m here to say: ‘Look, the UK is further stepping up its military aid and is also stepping up its aid “. The UK’s international leaders must try to coordinate with their allies so that we can stand with Ukraine throughout 2025 and beyond.

The call follows Sir Keir’s trip last week to the meeting of the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF), a military coalition of several European countries, during which he declared that “Ukraine needs all the capabilities which it can dispose of.