Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the new UK prime minister. AP
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the new UK prime minister. AP
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the new UK prime minister. AP
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the new UK prime minister. AP

World

UK

New UK PM Rishi Sunak takes to world stage and starts round of calls with global leaders

New British PM takes calls with Joe Biden, Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Emmanuel Macron

Soraya Ebrahimi
Soraya Ebrahimi

October 25, 2022

  • English
  • Arabic

The UK's support for Ukraine will be as “strong as ever”, new Prime Minister Rishi Sunak told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in their first call.

Mr Sunak said the UK’s support would for Kyiv would continue under his leadership, following his predecessors Boris Johnson and Liz Truss.

Calling it a “privilege” to speak to Mr Zelenskyy, who earlier sent him congratulations on becoming the new prime minister, Mr Sunak tweeted: “Both he and the Ukrainian people can count on the UK’s continued solidarity and support.

“We will always stand with Ukraine.”

Mr Zelenskyy, in a tweet, called it an “excellent conversation”, with the two agreeing to “write a new chapter” in relations between the two countries.

Speaking outside Number 10 on Tuesday, Mr Sunak referred to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine twice, saying: “Putin’s war in Ukraine has destabilised energy markets and supply chains the world over.”

Downing Street said the pair spoke on Tuesday evening “to underline the United Kingdom’s steadfast support for Ukraine”.

READ MORE

India's Narendra Modi leads goodwill messages to incoming UK PM Rishi Sunak

“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.

“President Zelenskyy congratulated the prime minister on his appointment and wished him a happy Diwali. The prime minister thanked him and said he hoped they would see each other in person soon.”

Rishi Sunak through the years — in pictures

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announces July 4 as the date for the 2024 general election at No 10 Downing Street. Here, The National looks back at his political career. Getty Images
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announces July 4 as the date for the 2024 general election at No 10 Downing Street. Here, The National looks back at his political career. Getty Images
Mr Sunak during local election campaigning in Teesside in May 2024. Getty Images
Mr Sunak during local election campaigning in Teesside in May 2024. Getty Images
Mr Sunak presents cupcakes to journalists on board a plane on the way to Warsaw in April 2024. Getty Images
Mr Sunak presents cupcakes to journalists on board a plane on the way to Warsaw in April 2024. Getty Images
Mr Sunak during a press conference in Downing Street in January after the Safety of Rwanda Bill passed its third reading in the House of Commons. Getty Images
Mr Sunak during a press conference in Downing Street in January after the Safety of Rwanda Bill passed its third reading in the House of Commons. Getty Images
Being applauded after his speech at the Conservative Party conference in October 2023. Getty Images
Being applauded after his speech at the Conservative Party conference in October 2023. Getty Images
Looking pensive alongside then-home secretary Suella Braverman at No 10 in October 2023. She didn't last much longer in the cabinet. Getty Images
Looking pensive alongside then-home secretary Suella Braverman at No 10 in October 2023. She didn't last much longer in the cabinet. Getty Images
Mr Sunak sits in an old Special Branch police vehicle which was used to transport former prime minister Margaret Thatcher, in July 2023. Getty Images
Mr Sunak sits in an old Special Branch police vehicle which was used to transport former prime minister Margaret Thatcher, in July 2023. Getty Images
On board Border Agency cutter HMC Seeker during a visit to Dover in June 2023. Getty Images
On board Border Agency cutter HMC Seeker during a visit to Dover in June 2023. Getty Images
Mr Sunak alongside European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, US President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz during the G7 Summit in May 2023. Getty Images
Mr Sunak alongside European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, US President Joe Biden, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz during the G7 Summit in May 2023. Getty Images
Mr Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty arriving in Japan ahead of the G7 Summit in May 2023. Getty Images
Mr Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty arriving in Japan ahead of the G7 Summit in May 2023. Getty Images
Mr Sunak and Chancellor Jeremy Hunt sending a message at Accrington Market Hall in January 2023. Getty Images
Mr Sunak and Chancellor Jeremy Hunt sending a message at Accrington Market Hall in January 2023. Getty Images
Mr Sunak and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy meet in Ukraine's capital Kyiv in November 2022. Getty Images
Mr Sunak and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy meet in Ukraine's capital Kyiv in November 2022. Getty Images
King Charles III welcomes Mr Sunak during an audience at Buckingham Palace, where he invited the newly elected leader of the Conservative Party to become Prime Minister and form a new government in October 2022. Getty Images
King Charles III welcomes Mr Sunak during an audience at Buckingham Palace, where he invited the newly elected leader of the Conservative Party to become Prime Minister and form a new government in October 2022. Getty Images
Mr Sunak makes a statement outside No 10 in October 2022 after taking office. Getty Images
Mr Sunak makes a statement outside No 10 in October 2022 after taking office. Getty Images
Mr Sunak arrives inside Number 10 in October 2022. Photo: Simon Walker/ No 10 Downing Street
Mr Sunak arrives inside Number 10 in October 2022. Photo: Simon Walker/ No 10 Downing Street
Greeted by colleagues at Conservative Party HQ after having been announced winner of the leadership contest in October 2022. Getty Images
Greeted by colleagues at Conservative Party HQ after having been announced winner of the leadership contest in October 2022. Getty Images
Mr Sunak at Westminster Hall in London following the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022. PA
Mr Sunak at Westminster Hall in London following the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022. PA
Mr Sunak visits his family's old business, Bassett Pharmacy, on the campaign trail in August 2022. Getty Images
Mr Sunak visits his family's old business, Bassett Pharmacy, on the campaign trail in August 2022. Getty Images
Mr Sunak looks at an NLAW anti-tank launcher during a visit to the Thales Defence System plant in Belfast in August 2022. Getty Images
Mr Sunak looks at an NLAW anti-tank launcher during a visit to the Thales Defence System plant in Belfast in August 2022. Getty Images
At a hustings event in Exeter in August 2022. Getty Images
At a hustings event in Exeter in August 2022. Getty Images
Celebrates England's first goal as he watches the Women's Euro 2022 final in Salisbury in July 2022. Getty Images
Celebrates England's first goal as he watches the Women's Euro 2022 final in Salisbury in July 2022. Getty Images
Mr Sunak and Ms Truss take part in the BBC Leadership debate at Victoria Hall, Hanley, in July 2022. Getty Images
Mr Sunak and Ms Truss take part in the BBC Leadership debate at Victoria Hall, Hanley, in July 2022. Getty Images
With daughters Krisna and Anoushka and wife Akshata Murthy in July 2022. Getty Images
With daughters Krisna and Anoushka and wife Akshata Murthy in July 2022. Getty Images
Opening the Great Ayton Village Fete during the queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June 2022. Getty Images
Opening the Great Ayton Village Fete during the queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June 2022. Getty Images
Mr Sunak and Ms Murthy speak to then-Prince Charles at a British Asian Trust event in February 2022. Getty Images
Mr Sunak and Ms Murthy speak to then-Prince Charles at a British Asian Trust event in February 2022. Getty Images
Mr Sunak arrives at COP26 in Glasgow in November 2021 when he was chancellor. Getty Images
Mr Sunak arrives at COP26 in Glasgow in November 2021 when he was chancellor. Getty Images
Holding the budget box as he departs 11 Downing Street to deliver his Autumn Budget in October 2021. Getty Images
Holding the budget box as he departs 11 Downing Street to deliver his Autumn Budget in October 2021. Getty Images
At a press conference on the 2021 Budget in London in March 2021. Getty Images
At a press conference on the 2021 Budget in London in March 2021. Getty Images
With former prime minister Boris Johnson during a visit to PD Ports on the River Tees in March 2021. Getty Images
With former prime minister Boris Johnson during a visit to PD Ports on the River Tees in March 2021. Getty Images
Mr Sunak poses with the budget box at 11 Downing Street in March 2021. Getty Images
Mr Sunak poses with the budget box at 11 Downing Street in March 2021. Getty Images
Meeting staff back at work after being furloughed at Hamleys toy shop in London, December 2020. Photo: HM Treasury
Meeting staff back at work after being furloughed at Hamleys toy shop in London, December 2020. Photo: HM Treasury
Mr Sunak visits the Imperial Clinic Research Facility at Hammersmith Hospital, London, in November 2020. Getty Images
Mr Sunak visits the Imperial Clinic Research Facility at Hammersmith Hospital, London, in November 2020. Getty Images
Lighting a candle for Diwali on Downing Street, November 2020. Getty Images
Lighting a candle for Diwali on Downing Street, November 2020. Getty Images
Working on a speech in his flat above 11 Downing Street in November 2020. Photo: HM Treasury
Working on a speech in his flat above 11 Downing Street in November 2020. Photo: HM Treasury
Mr Johnson and Mr Sunak visit the headquarters of Octopus Energy in London in October 2020. Getty Images
Mr Johnson and Mr Sunak visit the headquarters of Octopus Energy in London in October 2020. Getty Images
With his 'Winter Economy Plan' outside 11 Downing Street in September 2020. AFP
With his 'Winter Economy Plan' outside 11 Downing Street in September 2020. AFP
Decorating a plate at Emma Bridgewater pottery in Stoke pottery in September 2020. Getty Images
Decorating a plate at Emma Bridgewater pottery in Stoke pottery in September 2020. Getty Images
Promoting 'eat out to help out' on the Isle of Bute, Scotland, in August 2020. Getty Images
Promoting 'eat out to help out' on the Isle of Bute, Scotland, in August 2020. Getty Images
A member of the public takes a selfie with Rishi Sunak during a visit to Scotland in August 2020. AFP
A member of the public takes a selfie with Rishi Sunak during a visit to Scotland in August 2020. AFP
Visiting a Wagamama restaurant in central London in July 2020. Photo: HM Treasury
Visiting a Wagamama restaurant in central London in July 2020. Photo: HM Treasury
Rishi Sunak visits a Pret A Manger in Westminster in July 2020. HM Treasury
Rishi Sunak visits a Pret A Manger in Westminster in July 2020. HM Treasury
With Mr Johnson at his first Cabinet meeting after a reshuffle at 10 Downing Street in February 2020. Getty Images
With Mr Johnson at his first Cabinet meeting after a reshuffle at 10 Downing Street in February 2020. Getty Images
Mr Sunak speaks during a general election debate in Cardiff in November 2019. Getty Images
Mr Sunak speaks during a general election debate in Cardiff in November 2019. Getty Images

In a congratulatory message to Mr Sunak earlier, French President Emmanuel Macron said the two countries would work together to tackle the challenge of the war in Ukraine.

Ms Truss was widely criticised after she declined to say whether Mr Macron was a “friend or foe” when asked during the previous Tory leadership contest.

Mr Macron later suggested it was a “problem” if Britain could not call itself a friend of France.

Ms Truss eventually hailed him as a friend when the pair met at the first summit of the European Political Community in Prague.

‘Mistakes were made’: Rishi Sunak delivers first speech as UK prime minister — video

In his message to Mr Sunak, Mr Macron tweeted: “Congratulations to Rishi Sunak, who has become Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.

“Together we will continue working to tackle the challenges of the moment, including the war in Ukraine and its many consequences for Europe and the world.”

UAE president Sheikh Mohamed also sent a message of congratulations to the new leader, saying he looked forward to future collaborations between both countries.

“Congratulations to Rishi Sunak on becoming Prime Minister of the United Kingdom,” Sheikh Mohamed wrote on Twitter.

“The UAE and UK share a deeply rooted history of friendship and partnership, and I look forward to building on our strong ties to benefit our two nations and our people.”

US President Joe Biden called the UK his country's “closest ally” during his first call with Mr Sunak.

The British prime minister will meet Mr Biden in the coming weeks at the Group of 20 summit in Indonesia.

Mr Biden congratulated Mr Sunak on his appointment, said a Downing Street representative.

Only in recent days has Mr Biden appeared to publicly criticise Liz Truss’s doomed economic strategy, in rare comments on UK politics by the US president.

Rishi Sunak: What's next for UK politics? — video

Relations between the two countries have been somewhat strained in recent years amid UK-EU tension over post-Brexit arrangements in Northern Ireland, with White House concerns over the impact on peace in the region.

The issue appears to have come up in the call, details released by Downing Street show. The war in Ukraine and the rising power of China were also topics of conversation.

“President Biden congratulated the prime minister on his appointment and the leaders looked forward to working closely together,” the Downing Street representative said.

“President Biden said that the UK remains America’s closest ally, and the prime minister agreed on the huge strength of the relationship.

“The leaders discussed the extent of UK-US co-operation, both bilaterally and in regions such as the Indo-Pacific where the Aukus pact forms part of our efforts to enhance stability and counter China’s malign influence.

“They reflected on the leading role our countries are playing in supporting the people of Ukraine and ensuring Putin fails in this war.

“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.

“The leaders looked forward to meeting in person at the upcoming G20 summit in Indonesia.”

The specs

Engine: 3.5-litre V6

Power: 272hp at 6,400rpm

Torque: 331Nm from 5,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 9.7L/100km

On sale: now

Price: Dh149,000

 

On Women's Day
Profile

Company: Justmop.com

Date started: December 2015

Founders: Kerem Kuyucu and Cagatay Ozcan

Sector: Technology and home services

Based: Jumeirah Lake Towers, Dubai

Size: 55 employees and 100,000 cleaning requests a month

Funding:  The company’s investors include Collective Spark, Faith Capital Holding, Oak Capital, VentureFriends, and 500 Startups. 

BMW M5 specs

Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor

Power: 727hp

Torque: 1,000Nm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh650,000

Plastic tipping point
Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
More coverage from the Future Forum
While you're here
While you're here
On Women's Day
The smuggler

Eldarir had arrived at JFK in January 2020 with three suitcases, containing goods he valued at $300, when he was directed to a search area.
Officers found 41 gold artefacts among the bags, including amulets from a funerary set which prepared the deceased for the afterlife.
Also found was a cartouche of a Ptolemaic king on a relief that was originally part of a royal building or temple. 
The largest single group of items found in Eldarir’s cases were 400 shabtis, or figurines.

Khouli conviction

Khouli smuggled items into the US by making false declarations to customs about the country of origin and value of the items.
According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, he provided “false provenances which stated that [two] Egyptian antiquities were part of a collection assembled by Khouli's father in Israel in the 1960s” when in fact “Khouli acquired the Egyptian antiquities from other dealers”.
He was sentenced to one year of probation, six months of home confinement and 200 hours of community service in 2012 after admitting buying and smuggling Egyptian antiquities, including coffins, funerary boats and limestone figures.

For sale

A number of other items said to come from the collection of Ezeldeen Taha Eldarir are currently or recently for sale.
Their provenance is described in near identical terms as the British Museum shabti: bought from Salahaddin Sirmali, "authenticated and appraised" by Hossen Rashed, then imported to the US in 1948.

- An Egyptian Mummy mask dating from 700BC-30BC, is on offer for £11,807 ($15,275) online by a seller in Mexico

- A coffin lid dating back to 664BC-332BC was offered for sale by a Colorado-based art dealer, with a starting price of $65,000

- A shabti that was on sale through a Chicago-based coin dealer, dating from 1567BC-1085BC, is up for $1,950

Where to submit a sample

Volunteers of all ages can submit DNA samples at centres across Abu Dhabi, including: Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (Adnec), Biogenix Labs in Masdar City, NMC Royal Hospital in Khalifa City, NMC Royal Medical Centre, Abu Dhabi, NMC Royal Women's Hospital, Bareen International Hospital, Al Towayya in Al Ain, NMC Specialty Hospital, Al Ain

Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
The specs
 
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
On Women's Day
Kareem Shaheen on Canada
You might also like
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
  • Priority access to new homes from participating developers
  • Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
  • Flexible payment plans from developers
  • Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
  • DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Haltia.ai%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202023%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECo-founders%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Arto%20Bendiken%20and%20Talal%20Thabet%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%2C%20UAE%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EIndustry%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20AI%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2041%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20About%20%241.7%20million%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Self%2C%20family%20and%20friends%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Emergency phone numbers in the UAE

Estijaba – 8001717 –  number to call to request coronavirus testing

Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111

Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre

Emirates airline – 600555555

Etihad Airways – 600555666

Ambulance – 998

Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries

Company%20profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20JustClean%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EDubai%20with%20offices%20in%20other%20GCC%20countries%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ELaunch%20year%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%202016%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ENumber%20of%20employees%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20160%2B%20with%2021%20nationalities%20in%20eight%20cities%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E%3Cbr%3ESector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20online%20laundry%20and%20cleaning%20services%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFunding%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2430m%20from%20Kuwait-based%20Faith%20Capital%20Holding%20and%20Gulf%20Investment%20Corporation%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
F1 The Movie

Starring: Brad Pitt, Damson Idris, Kerry Condon, Javier Bardem

Director: Joseph Kosinski

Rating: 4/5

Best Academy: Ajax and Benfica

Best Agent: Jorge Mendes

Best Club : Liverpool   

 Best Coach: Jurgen Klopp (Liverpool)  

 Best Goalkeeper: Alisson Becker

 Best Men’s Player: Cristiano Ronaldo

 Best Partnership of the Year Award by SportBusiness: Manchester City and SAP

 Best Referee: Stephanie Frappart

Best Revelation Player: Joao Felix (Atletico Madrid and Portugal)

Best Sporting Director: Andrea Berta (Atletico Madrid)

Best Women's Player:  Lucy Bronze

Best Young Arab Player: Achraf Hakimi

 Kooora – Best Arab Club: Al Hilal (Saudi Arabia)

 Kooora – Best Arab Player: Abderrazak Hamdallah (Al-Nassr FC, Saudi Arabia)

 Player Career Award: Miralem Pjanic and Ryan Giggs

Company name: Farmin

Date started: March 2019

Founder: Dr Ali Al Hammadi 

Based: Abu Dhabi

Sector: AgriTech

Initial investment: None to date

Partners/Incubators: UAE Space Agency/Krypto Labs 

UAE currency
While you're here
GAC GS8 Specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh149,900

Ukraine

Capital: Kiev

Population: 44.13 million

Armed conflict in Donbass

Russia-backed fighters control territory

Generation Start-up: Awok company profile

Started: 2013

Founder: Ulugbek Yuldashev

Sector: e-commerce

Size: 600 plus

Stage: still in talks with VCs

Principal Investors: self-financed by founder

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
On Women's Day
more from Janine di Giovanni
Our family matters legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

While you're here
THE BIO: Martin Van Almsick

Hometown: Cologne, Germany

Family: Wife Hanan Ahmed and their three children, Marrah (23), Tibijan (19), Amon (13)

Favourite dessert: Umm Ali with dark camel milk chocolate flakes

Favourite hobby: Football

Breakfast routine: a tall glass of camel milk

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets

 


 

MATCH INFO

Fixture: Ukraine v Portugal, Monday, 10.45pm (UAE)

TV: BeIN Sports

Updated: October 26, 2022, 12:08 PM`
Rishi SunakVolodymyr ZelenskyyUkraine