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Liz Truss said Russia’s latest “appalling attacks” on civilians in Ukraine were “a clear sign of Putin’s desperation”. The Prime Minister vowed to “stand right behind” Volodymyr Zelensky in his continued fight to push Moscow’s forces out of Ukraine after speaking with the President earlier today.
The pair spoke after Putin launched a number of missile attacks on the capital of Kyiv in revenge for an attack on Russia’s main link to the Crimean Peninsula on Saturday.
A Downing Street spokesperson said: “The Prime Minister spoke to Ukrainian President Zelensky this afternoon.
“She strongly condemned Putin’s appalling attacks on civilian areas in Kyiv and elsewhere today.
“The Prime Minister said that these are a sign of Ukrainian success and increasing desperation by Putin in response.
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“The Prime Minister stressed that the UK stands wholeheartedly behind President Zelensky and Ukraine. Putin’s destructive rhetoric and behaviour will not diminish our resolve. The leaders welcomed the deliveries of British military aid which continue to arrive in Ukraine.
“The Prime Minister and President Zelenskyy looked ahead to tomorrow’s virtual meeting of G7 leaders, which President Zelenskyy will join.
“They agreed it offers an important opportunity to reemphasise the unity of opposition to Putin’s despicable campaign.”
Early this morning, Ukraine’s capital Kyiv was targeted for the first time in months, while there were also reports of explosions in Dnipro, Lviv, Ternopil, Khmelnytskyi, Zhytomyr and Kropyvnytskyi.
Putin confirmed they were a retaliation for Ukraine’s strike on the Kerch Bridge, a crossing between Russia and annexed Crimea that has strategic and symbolic importance.
He said if Ukraine continued to mount “terrorist attacks” then Russia’s response would be “tough and proportionate to the level of threats”.
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At least 11 people were killed and 64 injured in the attacks across Ukraine.
Western leaders have rallied around President Zelensky to reaffirm their support in the aftermath of the assaults.
He will join leaders from the G7 in a virtual summit tomorrow to discuss Russia’s actions.
In a statement released after his phone call with Ms Truss this afternoon, President Zelensky said: “I’ve had a phone call with Prime Minister Liz Truss.
“We count on the UK’s leadership in consolidating international political and defence support for Ukraine, in particular regarding the protection of our skies. And also in the further isolation of Russia.”
Foreign Secretary James Cleverly offered the UK’s “ongoing moral and practical support” to his counterpart in Kyiv, Dmytro Kuleba.
“Russia’s firing of missiles into civilian areas of Ukraine is unacceptable,” he said.
“This is a demonstration of weakness by Putin, not strength.”
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