The leaders called on Vladimir Putin to agree ‘an immediate and complete ceasefire’, No 10 said.

The leaders of the UK, Ukraine, France and Germany have discussed the “urgent need” to ramp up production of defensive weapons and deep-strike capabilities after Russia fired Oreshnik missiles at Ukraine, Downing Street said.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer hosted Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky along with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz – some of Kyiv’s staunchest allies – at No 10 on Sunday evening for talks on the war.

The leaders called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to agree “an immediate and complete ceasefire” with the current line of contact as a starting point for any negotiations, Downing Street said.

Sir Keir Starmer welcomes Volodymyr Zelensky to Downing Street
Sir Keir Starmer welcomes Volodymyr Zelensky to Downing Street (Lucy North/PA)

A readout said: “They condemned Russia’s large-scale missile and drone attacks – including the repeated use of the Oreshnik missiles – on Ukrainian cities with a tragic toll on civilians, as well as irresponsible and dangerous Russian drone incursions into Nato territory.

“They expressed their condolences to all the victims.

“They discussed how to use the upcoming G7 summit at Evian, the next meeting of the coalition of the willing, and the Nato summit at Ankara to best coordinate further support for Ukraine based on its prioritised needs, including further pressure on Russia’s war economy and an increased pledge of military and defence support for Ukraine at the Nato summit.

“The leaders underlined the urgent need to scale up the production of interceptors and co-develop anti-ballistic missile and deep strike capabilities, and to support the future sustainability of the Ukrainian armed forces.”

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