Starmer, Trump discussed Russia-Ukraine, Iran after Geneva talks, Downing Street says

Ukraine-Russia negotiations opened amid fresh airstrikes, while Tehran, Washington gain progress on nuclear dispute

Trump and Starmer. PHOTO: REUTERS

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke to US President Donald Trump on Tuesday night about US-mediated Russia-Ukraine peace talks in Geneva, as well as talks between the US and Iran on their nuclear dispute, a Downing Street spokesperson said.

Starmer also discussed Gaza with Trump and stressed the importance of securing further access for humanitarian aid, the spokesperson said. Negotiators from Ukraine and Russia concluded the first of two days of the US-mediated peace talks in Geneva on Tuesday, with Trump pressing Kyiv to act fast to reach a deal.

Ahead of the negotiations in Switzerland, Russia carried out airstrikes overnight across swathes of Ukraine, severely damaging the power network in the southern port city of Odesa.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said the attacks left tens ‌of thousands without heat and water. “We are ready ⁠to move quickly toward ​a worthy agreement to end the war,” Zelenskiy said in his nightly address, saying he was waiting for a ​report from the negotiating team in Geneva.

“The question ‌for the Russians is: Just what do ​they want?” Ukraine’s lead negotiator, Rustem Umerov, the head of the National Security and Defence Council, said in a statement that the day’s talks had focused on “practical issues and the mechanics of possible decisions,” without providing details.

Separately, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqhchi said Tehran and Washington reached an understanding on Tuesday on “guiding principles” aimed at resolving their longstanding nuclear dispute, but that did not mean a deal is imminent.

Oil futures fell, and the benchmark Brent crude contract dropped more than 1% after Araghchi’s comments, easing fears of conflict in the region, where the US has deployed a battle force to press Tehran for concessions.

“Different ideas have been presented, and these ideas have been seriously discussed. Ultimately, we’ve been able to reach a general agreement on some guiding principles,” Araghchi told Iranian media after the talks concluded in Geneva.

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