British Prime Minister Keir Starmer reaffirmed the UK’s unwavering support for Ukraine as he welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to Downing Street on Saturday, a day after Zelensky’s tense encounter with former US President Donald Trump at the White House.
Zelensky arrived to cheers from supporters outside No. 10, where Starmer embraced him and led him inside for talks. Their meeting took place ahead of a European leaders’ summit in London, which will focus on strengthening support for Ukraine amid concerns over a potential US withdrawal from aid commitments.
“And as you heard from the cheers on the street outside, you have full backing across the United Kingdom,” Starmer told Zelensky. “We stand with you, with Ukraine, for as long as it may take.”
Following the talks, the UK announced a £2.26 billion ($2.84 billion) loan to Kyiv for military procurement, funded by profits from frozen Russian assets. This forms part of a wider $50 billion package pledged by the G7 nations.
Zelensky expressed gratitude for Britain's support, stating on social media platform X: “This is true justice – the one who started the war must be the one to pay.”
The meeting was moved up from Sunday following Zelensky’s heated exchange with Trump and Vice President JD Vance, who criticized him on live television for not showing enough gratitude for US assistance. Zelensky had been set to finalize a deal granting the US access to Ukraine’s mineral resources but left Washington without signing an agreement.
Starmer later spoke with Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron to discuss Ukraine’s situation. Zelensky is also set to meet King Charles III on Sunday before the European summit at Lancaster House, near Buckingham Palace.
Zelensky arrived to cheers from supporters outside No. 10, where Starmer embraced him and led him inside for talks. Their meeting took place ahead of a European leaders’ summit in London, which will focus on strengthening support for Ukraine amid concerns over a potential US withdrawal from aid commitments.
“And as you heard from the cheers on the street outside, you have full backing across the United Kingdom,” Starmer told Zelensky. “We stand with you, with Ukraine, for as long as it may take.”
Following the talks, the UK announced a £2.26 billion ($2.84 billion) loan to Kyiv for military procurement, funded by profits from frozen Russian assets. This forms part of a wider $50 billion package pledged by the G7 nations.
Zelensky expressed gratitude for Britain's support, stating on social media platform X: “This is true justice – the one who started the war must be the one to pay.”
The meeting was moved up from Sunday following Zelensky’s heated exchange with Trump and Vice President JD Vance, who criticized him on live television for not showing enough gratitude for US assistance. Zelensky had been set to finalize a deal granting the US access to Ukraine’s mineral resources but left Washington without signing an agreement.
Starmer later spoke with Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron to discuss Ukraine’s situation. Zelensky is also set to meet King Charles III on Sunday before the European summit at Lancaster House, near Buckingham Palace.
