Sir Keir Starmer and Volodymyr Zelensky have discussed the “importance” of anti-corruption measures after the Ukrainian president faced protests over a controversial piece of legislation.
Mr Zelensky said that he raised his plans to ensure “the independence and effectiveness of Ukraine’s anti-corruption infrastructure” with the Prime Minister after his government in Kyiv faced their first major protests since the outbreak of war three years ago.
On Thursday the Ukrainian president announced that he would send a new anti-corruption Bill to the country’s parliament.
Thousands of people gathered on the streets of Kyiv and other cities across Ukraine earlier this week protesting against legislation that will tighten oversight of two anti-corruption agencies.
The two leaders also spoke about sanctions on Russian energy revenues in a call on Thursday, Downing Street said.
Giving a read-out of their conversation, a Number 10 spokesperson said that the men “agreed international partners must continue to ramp up the pressure on Russia”.
The spokesperson added: “The Prime Minister underlined the UK’s unwavering support for Ukraine, and the leaders agreed on the importance of the role of independent anti-corruption institutions at the heart of Ukraine’s democracy.
A very good and substantive conversation with UK Prime Minister @Keir_Starmer. I thanked him for the UK’s leadership within the Ramstein format and for the new sanctions against Russia. Moscow must feel the cost of its aggression just as it deserves. This work will continue.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) July 24, 2025
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“Both leaders underscored that (Russian President Vladimir) Putin must come to the negotiation table and agree an unconditional ceasefire to see a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.”
Mr Zelensky said that they had a “very good and substantive conversation” when they talked on Thursday.
In a post on X he said that he “spoke about the preparation of a bill aimed at strengthening the legal system and ensuring the independence and effectiveness of Ukraine’s anti-corruption infrastructure”.
The Prime Minister “suggested involving experts who could contribute to long-term cooperation”, Mr Zelensky added.
Mr Zelensky and Sir Keir spoke in person last month when the Ukrainian leader was hosted by Number 10.
