Zelenskyy meets UK PM Keir Starmer after heated exchange with Trump

Warm welcome at 10 Downing Street

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Saturday, receiving a firm hug outside 10 Downing Street. The meeting took place a day after Zelenskyy’s tense exchange with US President Donald Trump at the White House.

As Zelenskyy arrived, supporters gathered outside, cheering. Starmer welcomed him warmly before they proceeded inside for discussions.

“And as you heard from the cheers on the street outside, you have full backing across the United Kingdom,” Starmer reassured the Ukrainian leader.

“We stand with you, with Ukraine, for as long as it may take,” he added.

Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to the UK government and its people for their continued support and friendship.

Tensions with the US over aid

The meeting in London followed a difficult encounter in Washington, where Zelenskyy faced public criticism from Trump and US Vice President J D Vance. They accused him of not showing sufficient appreciation for American financial and military assistance.

Zelenskyy was expected to finalize an agreement granting the US access to Ukraine’s mineral resources. However, he departed from the White House without signing the deal.

Loan agreement to boost Ukraine’s defense

During his visit to London, Zelenskyy secured a £2.26 billion ($2.84 billion) loan from the UK to enhance Ukraine’s domestic weapons manufacturing. The loan agreement was signed by British Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Ukrainian Finance Minister Sergii Marchenko. The first installment is expected to be disbursed next week.

The UK announced that the funds for the loan would be sourced from profits generated by frozen Russian assets. This initiative is part of a larger $50 billion support package pledged by G7 nations.

Zelenskyy acknowledged the UK’s contribution on social media, stating, “The funds will be directed toward weapons production in Ukraine. I thank the people and government of the United Kingdom for their tremendous support from the very beginning of this war.”

Support from European leaders

European leaders openly reaffirmed their commitment to Ukraine after his dispute with Trump. Officials from Germany, France, Spain, Poland, and the Netherlands shared messages of solidarity with Zelenskyy.

Germany’s outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz stated, “No one wants peace more than the citizens of Ukraine.” Meanwhile, his likely successor, Friedrich Merz, emphasized, “We stand with Ukraine” and warned against equating the aggressor with the victim in the ongoing conflict.

Meeting with King Charles and European leaders

Zelenskyy was originally scheduled to meet Starmer on Sunday, ahead of a high-profile summit with European leaders on Ukraine and regional defense. However, his meeting with the UK Prime Minister was moved up following his visit to Washington.

Before attending the summit at Lancaster House—a historic 200-year-old mansion near Buckingham Palace—Zelenskyy is set to meet King Charles III on Sunday.

Diplomatic outreach by Starmer

After his discussions with Zelenskyy, Prime Minister Starmer held conversations with both US President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron. According to Downing Street, these discussions focused on strengthening international coordination in support of Ukraine.

Zelenskyy’s trip to London underscores Ukraine’s ongoing efforts to secure diplomatic and financial backing amid the ongoing war with Russia.

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