Sir Ed Davey has urged Keir Starmer to ‘strengthen Zelensky’s hand’ in negotiations by ‘increasing support’ following the US summit by providing British Typhoon jets.

Speaking on GB News Sir Ed Davey said:

“I think we’re all digesting the news from overnight, but I still fear that Trump is driven by a desire to get a deal with President Putin and is putting that above the long term interests of Ukraine and of European security.

“Now, I hope I’m wrong. I hope there’s a deal that Ukraine would willingly sign up to. The hints that there could be some sort of security guarantees for Ukraine with America involved, that’s welcome.

“It’s a bit vague at the moment, and there’s a real worry that the price that would be exacted from Ukraine would be an unacceptable price in terms of giving up land.

“I think the best response that Britain could make would be to strengthen the hand of Zelensky at negotiations by offering to increase our support for Ukraine, for example, with British typhoon jet fighters. I think we have to make sure that Ukraine goes into those negotiations in the strongest possible way.

“I think Russia’s response now isn’t good. I’m afraid Putin has already won a big concession from President Trump about no ceasefire, and now the Ukraine is expected to negotiate and turn up at some sort of summit with Putin while Russia is killing its children.

“I think it’s totally unacceptable, so that’s why we have to send a very strong signal to Moscow, to Kremlin, and indeed to the White House, that the UK, with its European allies, are there for the long term with Ukraine, to defend its territory and to defend the security of our continent and indeed, ultimately of the United Kingdom.

“The Liberal Democrats have led the debate about seizing frozen Russian assets. That’s one of the things I think we need to do now, there’s £27 billion of frozen Russian assets, I believe, in the UK.

“I think Ukraine has tried its very best, but I think it’s incumbent on Ukraine’s allies in Europe and beyond, to try to bring it home to Russians. And to be honest, one of the reasons why Liberal Democrats have supported seizing those frozen Russian assets is, I think it will bring it home to those Russian oligarchs.

“They’re the ones who keep Putin in power, make sure the Russian oligarchs are feeling the pain that will bring it back to Russia.”