Starmer said Ukraine’s military backers, the so-called Coalition of the Willing, had drawn up workable military plans in case of a ceasefire but were also ready to add pressure on Russia through sanctions.

“For three and a bit years this conflict has been going, we haven’t got anywhere near… a viable way of bringing it to a ceasefire,” Starmer told a meeting of European leaders.

“Now we do have that chance, because of the work that the (US) president has put in,” he told the video conference he led alongside German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and French President Emmanuel Macron.

The call was joined by Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky from Germany, and US Vice President JD Vance, who is currently visiting the UK.

While Starmer said Friday’s Alaska meeting between Trump and Putin was “hugely important”, he reiterated that there “should be no negotiations about Ukraine without Ukraine”.

“This is a critical moment, we have to combine active diplomacy on the one hand with military support to Ukraine and pressure on Russia,” he said.

The coalition has drawn up military plans “which are now ready in a form that can be used if we get to that ceasefire”, Starmer added.

He said Britain and other European allies also “stand ready to increase pressure on Russia” through sanctions and “wider measures” if necessary.

He added that Trump had agreed to “debrief immediately” after his meeting with Putin.

– Ends