Sunak vows UK support for Ukraine will be 'strong as ever' on call to Zelenskyy

Rishi Sunak spoke to leaders Joe Biden, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Mark Drakeford and Nicola Sturgeon in his first diplomatic calls as prime minister.

The discussions closed a whirlwind first day for the former chancellor, which involved meeting the King, overhauling the Cabinet and addressing the nation.

On Tuesday night, Mr Sunak said it was a “privilege” to speak to Ukrainian president Zelenskyy.

He tweeted: “Both he and the Ukrainian people can count on the UK’s continued solidarity and support. We will always stand with Ukraine.”

Both his predecessors Boris Johnson and Liz Truss had vocally promised full support to the country, which was invaded by Russia in February.

A statement from No 10 read: “The prime minister said the United Kingdom’s support for Ukraine would be as strong as ever under his premiership, and President Zelenskyy could count on his government to stand in continued solidarity. “The prime minister also noted the importance of the International Atomic Energy Agency’s work in Ukraine to ensure nuclear safety and provide transparency around any disinformation.

“Both leaders agreed on the need to continue to place pressure on Putin’s barbaric regime through continued economic sanctions."

Although Mr Sunak culled several top-tier ministers on Tuesday, he kept on defence secretary Ben Wallace, who has won plaudits for his response to the Ukraine war.

James Cleverly, who returned as foreign secretary, vowed to keep supporting the UK’s allies around the world “especially standing with Ukraine”.

Downing Street said Mr Sunak and US president Joe Biden looked forward to “working closely” together during a call.

The pair also discussed Northern Ireland matters during their first phone call.

A spokesperson for Downing Street said: "The Prime Minister and President Biden also agreed on the need to ensure the people of Northern Ireland have security and prosperity through preserving the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement."

Earlier, President Biden hailed Mr Sunak's appointment as "groundbreaking", but failed to pronounce his name properly.

Mr Sunak also spoke to Nicola Sturgeon and Mark Drakeford, the first ministers of Scotland and Wales respectively.

He tweeted that it was "good to speak" to the nations' leaders.

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He added: "I emphasised our duty to work closely together to respond to the shared challenges we face, so that collectively we can deliver for the people of the United Kingdom."

Liz Truss had a turbulent relationship with her home nation counterparts - she called Mr Drakeford an "enemy of enterprise" and a "low energy Jeremy Corbyn", while she described Nicola Sturgeon as an "attention seeker".

Mr Drakeford and Ms Sturgeon both claimed that Ms Truss had not called them during her first five weeks in office.

Following the call, a Scottish Government spokesperson said Ms Sturgeon congratulated Mr Sunak on his appointment and wished him well.

“She expressed her hope that political differences notwithstanding, they would build a constructive working relationship,” the spokesperson said.

“She made clear that the Scottish Government would do everything possible to establish such a constructive relationship but stressed that this must be built on mutual respect.”

Ms Sturgeon said the UK Government should “address the pressure” and pain being felt by people and businesses as a result of other economic pressures and further austerity could exacerbate the problems.Mr Drakeford said he took the opportunity to congratulate Mr Sunak on his appointment as prime minister.

The Welsh Labour leader tweeted: “Tonight, I spoke to the Prime Minister.

“A chance to congratulate the Prime Minister and discuss the importance of working together as four nations to address the urgent challenges we face as a United Kingdom.”

Mr Sunak won the Tory leadership contest without a party members' vote being cast after rivals Penny Mordaunt and Mr Johnson dropped out.

Along with Vladimir Putin's war in Ukraine, Mr Sunak faces a cost of living crisis, widespread industrial unrest and a buckling health service.