Lammy voices need for lasting Ukraine peace ahead of meeting with EU official
Ms Kallas – who also serves as vice president of the European Commission – is also due to meet Defence Secretary John Healey.
David Lammy has reiterated the need for an “enduring and a lasting peace” in Ukraine, ahead of talks with the EU’s high representative on foreign affairs.
The Foreign Secretary hosted Kaja Kallas at Carlton Gardens on Tuesday, and said that they would work on a “range of issues”.
In comments ahead of their talks, Mr Lammy said: “We know that we are meeting at a very tough geopolitical moment in which there is of course war in Europe and our deep concern is to continue to support Ukraine at this time, and of course to achieve an enduring and a lasting peace.”
He said that they will work on a “range of issues” such as the UK’s partnership with the EU, defence and “geopolitical challenges”, as well as other issues such as climate.
Ms Kallas – who also serves as vice president of the European Commission – is also due to meet Defence Secretary John Healey later on Tuesday.
She hailed the “good co-operation” between the UK and the EU, ahead of her discussions with Mr Lammy.
She also referred to the pair seeing each other often recently and said: “I think that shows the good co-operation we have with Great Britain and European Union.”
She added: “Like you say, in these turbulent times, we have to work closely together with those partners that share the same values as we do.
“There are many issues around the world where I think our co-operation is very much needed.”
She said that there is “so much more we can do” and described the “foundation of our relationship” as “very strong”.
“We need to build on that,” she said, pointing to foreign policy as well as security and defence.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and French president Emmanuel Macron have been leading efforts to form a coalition of nations who would be willing to support a peacekeeping force in the event of a deal in Ukraine.
