Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to hold high-level talks in London with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, as European leaders intensify efforts to keep global focus on Russia’s war in Ukraine amid escalating tensions in the Middle East.
According to the British government, the meeting at 10 Downing Street will also include NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte. Discussions are expected to centre on peacemaking efforts in Ukraine and “the need to maintain sanctions pressure on Russia,” Starmer’s office said.
The talks come just days after the United States temporarily eased some sanctions on Russian oil exports to stabilise global supply disruptions linked to the Middle East conflict, triggered by joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran beginning February 28.
Zelenskyy sharply criticised Washington’s decision, warning it could embolden Moscow. He said the move would hand Russia a financial boost to sustain its military campaign in Ukraine.
US President Donald Trump has reiterated his push for a peace agreement to end what is widely regarded as Europe’s largest conflict since World War II. However, European leaders remain wary, warning that Russia could pose a significant security threat to the European Union by the end of the decade.
Diplomatic momentum has also slowed, with US-brokered negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv yielding little progress on key issues. The talks have further stalled as global attention shifts toward the Middle East crisis.
At the same time, Trump has declined Zelenskyy’s offer to support US and Persian Gulf allies in countering Iranian drone attacks, despite Ukraine’s growing reputation as a leading developer of advanced, battle-tested drone interception systems.
British officials say Russia and Iran are increasingly collaborating on drone technology and tactics in the Middle East. In response, drone warfare specialists from the UK and Ukraine have been deployed to assist countries in the region in defending against such threats.
Starmer’s office also confirmed that the UK and Ukraine will sign a new defence agreement aimed at combining “Ukraine’s expertise and the UK’s industrial base to manufacture and supply drones and innovative capabilities.” Britain is additionally funding an “AI Center of Excellence” in partnership with Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense.
In a statement, Starmer underscored the strategic importance of emerging military technologies, saying, “drones, electronic warfare and rapid battlefield innovation are now central to national and economic security, and that has only been further magnified by the conflict in the Middle East.”
“By deepening our defense partnerships, we are strengthening Ukraine’s ability to defend itself from Russia’s brutal, ongoing attacks, while ensuring the UK and our allies are better prepared to meet the threats of the future,” he added.
Meanwhile, Russia’s Defence Ministry reported that its air defence systems shot down 206 Ukrainian drones overnight across multiple regions, including the annexed Crimean Peninsula and the Azov Sea. It added that 40 of the intercepted drones were heading toward Moscow.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed the intensifying Ukrainian drone campaign, describing Kyiv’s actions as “continuing absolutely futile resistance” against Russia’s invasion.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukrainian counteroffensives along eastern and southern front lines have disrupted Moscow’s plans for a March offensive. While his claims could not be independently verified, the Institute for the Study of War said Ukrainian counterattacks “are likely constraining” some Russian operations.
Ukraine’s air force reported that Russia launched 178 long-range drones overnight, with 154 intercepted or jammed and 22 reaching their targets.
In the southern city of Zaporizhzhia, a Russian strike damaged a terminal belonging to Nova Poshta, the country’s largest private delivery firm. Regional military administration head Ivan Fedorov said eight people were wounded in the attack.
Boluwatife Enome
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