Sky News halted for breaking Starmer announcement - and Trump won't be happy

Sky News interrupted their programming to share the breaking news that Sir Keir Starmer had been in contact with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky and the two had a conversation independent of any other world leader. Presenter Jane Secker announced the chat saying: "Breaking news to bring you regarding the Prime Minister, who has had a conversation with Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president.

"The conversation started by talking about the UK's continued support for Ukraine, including the sanctions announced earlier this week targeting Russia's energy revenues. They have agreed that international partners must continue to keep up the pressure on Russia. The UK's unwavering support for Ukraine was underlined, and they also agreed on the importance of the role of an independent anti-corruption institution at the heart of Ukraine's democracy. Both leaders underscored that Putin must come to the negotiation table and agree on an unconditional ceasefire to see an adjustment and lasting peace in Ukraine," she said.

Concluding the news, she continued: "So a bit of a holding pattern. But President Zelensky has talked to Keir Starmer today." The phone call concluded with both men agreeing to stay in regular contact.

Subsequently, it was revealed that they also discussed the "importance" of anti-corruption measures after the Ukrainian president faced protests over a controversial piece of legislation.

Zelensky had earlier announced that he would send a new anti-corruption Bill to the country's parliament and 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 its first major protests since the outbreak of war three years ago.

Thousands of people gathered on the streets across Ukraine earlier this week to protest the legislation that will tighten oversight of two anti-corruption agencies.

Following the chat Zelensky took to social media to give further details of the interaction describing it as "a very good and substantive conversation". He also reiterated his thanks for the "unwavering suport".

"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," he wrote.

"I informed the Prime Minister about yesterday's meeting with the Russian side in Istanbul, where we managed to reach an agreement on the next prisoner exchange. The Ukrainian delegation yet again emphasised the need for a ceasefire and proposed holding a meeting on the level of leaders by the end of August.

"We discussed diplomatic efforts with partners in Europe and the United States to strengthen security....I also 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. Keir suggested involving experts who could contribute to long-term cooperation....We see eye to eye on the need to defend the values of a normal life, counter any Russian influence or interference, and do everything to make our Europe stronger," he concluded.