Mandelson – an architect of New Labour under Tony Blair and the first political appointment to the ambassadorship for 50 years – was slapped down by a minister for his comments on Monday.
He also called on Zelensky to sign up to a mineral deal with the US.
Downing Street refused to say whether Sir Keir Starmer had given the Labour grandee, who was already a controversial appointment, a dressing down.
Despite the slapdown, The i Paper understands that some in senior diplomatic circles believe Mandelson was attempting to speak to the Trump-supporting so-called “Maga” audience in America to try and reassure them he understands their views after they opposed his appointment.
“The reset has to consist of the United States and Ukraine getting back on the same page, President Zelensky giving his unequivocal backing to the initiative that President Trump is taking to end the war and to bring a just and lasting peace to Ukraine,” Mandelson told ABC.
His remarks came as Zelensky was visiting London for a meeting of 18 European nations to discuss peace. He later met the King at Sandringham as the UK sought to show him support.
King Charles met President Zelensky in Sandringham, Norfolk in a show of support. (Photo by Joe Giddens – WPA Pool/Getty Images)“But we’re still in discussions, diplomatic engagement with our European, US and Ukrainian friends as to the shape of that deal.
Asked whether Mandelson misspoke, he said: “That’s not Government policy.”
“We’re working, particularly with the French, I’ve had extensive conversations with president Macron over the last week, intensively over the weekend, talking to Ukraine as well, those are going on at the moment.
square WORLD AnalysisPutin is getting everything he wants - but Russia is also at Trump's mercy
Read More
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said: “What is Mandelson up to? You cannot square what the Prime Minister said this morning with this. What is the Government’s actual position?
Conservative former foreign secretary James Cleverly said: “The UK ambassador to Washington isn’t meant to communicate his own opinion, he is meant to communicate the UK government opinion.
“Lammy and Starmer need to grip this.”
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Why Mandelson didn’t toe the party line on Ukraine )
Also on site :