Former Labour adviser Matter Torbitt has praised Sir Keir Starmer's diplomatic efforts regarding Ukraine, saying it made him "proud to be British".
The Prime Minister is set to make a statement in the Commons this afternoon where he will present a peace plan developed with French President Emmanuel Macron.
Torbitt, who described himself as "sometimes a critic" of Starmer, commended the PM's diplomatic handling of both President Zelensky and Donald Trump.
He said: "I'm obviously sometimes a critic of Keir Starmer but I think he has done well. I think we shouldn't focus just on the optics. The optics with Donald Trump were brilliant.
Torbitt described himself as "sometimes a critic" of Starmer but commended the Prime Minister's diplomatic handling of the two leaders
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"I think a diplomat, in my cynical view, is paid to lie for his country and do it well. And he did that very well. He sat there and appeased Donald Trump.
"I think King Charles helped him out with a blinder with the letter, and that was a great bit of soft power.
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"He didn't get any guarantees on tariffs. He didn't get any guarantees on security backstops. With regards to peacekeeping missions, however, it looked good. People seemed to think he'd done well.
"I will say, when I saw him hug Zelensky and sit down with him I felt proud to be British. I must admit, I thought it was a warm welcome.
"However, I thought the way Zelensky dealt with the whole thing was very poor diplomatically. I think both sides were poor in their handling.
"I know it's easy to criticise Trump and Vance for the way they acted, but I think Zelensky could have done better.
"However, I would give him the slightest benefit of the doubt because he is undoubtedly perpetually exhausted. He looks constantly exhausted. He probably barely sleeps at night."
The Prime Minister has committed to British "boots on the ground and planes in the air" to defend Ukraine.
He warned that the UK must be ready to "defend peace" in Ukraine or risk the conflict reaching British shores.
Starmer announced Ukraine will receive £1.6billion of UK export finance to purchase 5,000 air defence missiles, manufactured in Belfast.
Keir Starmer has "handled the situation well"
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During a press conference, he declared that the West stands "at a crossroads in history today" and urged that now is "not a moment for more talk, it is time to act."
The PM insisted that Ukraine must be included in peace talks, with any agreement ensuring its sovereignty and security.
Starmer's four-step peace plan, developed alongside President Macron, aims to create a European "coalition of the willing" to guard a peace process in Ukraine.
The peace plan will be presented to President Trump, with Starmer and Macron expected to mediate between the US and Ukraine.
