London, Mar 18 (UNI) British Prime Minister Keir Starmer met with visiting Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Monday as both leaders looked forward to "strengthening ties."

Starmer stressed that "the UK and Canada are the closest of sovereign allies and friends," according to a statement released by Downing Street.

"The leaders agreed that the UK-Canadian partnership is based on shared history and values, membership of the Commonwealth and a shared king, and they both looked forward to strengthening ties," it said.

During the meeting, they also discussed a virtual meeting on Saturday, chaired by Starmer, to support Ukraine.

Earlier, Carney met with Britain's King Charles III at Buckingham Palace.

Britain is Carney's second leg of his first overseas trip after France, in a bid to deepen relations with Canada's European allies amid U.S. disputes. He was sworn in as Canadian prime minister on Friday.

Amid a trade war with the United States and threats by U.S. President Donald Trump to annex Canada, Carney has said currently he has no plans to go to the United States, and he looks forward to speaking with Trump "at the appropriate moment."

UNI SPUTNIK ARN