The visit underscored Britain’s ongoing support for Ukraine as both nations unveiled a $2.84 billion loan agreement to bolster Kyiv’s defense, with repayment tied to the profits from immobilized Russian sovereign assets.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer warmly received Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in London on Saturday, a day after the Ukrainian leader’s tense exchange with U.S. President Donald Trump.
The visit underscored Britain’s ongoing support for Ukraine as both nations unveiled a $2.84 billion loan agreement to bolster Kyiv’s defense, with repayment tied to the profits from immobilized Russian sovereign assets.
Supporters cheered as Zelenskyy’s convoy arrived at Downing Street, where Starmer embraced him before they posed for photographs and entered the Prime Minister’s residence, VOA reports.
“You’re very, very welcome here in Downing Street,” Starmer told Zelenskyy.
“And as you’ve heard from the cheers street outside, you have full backing across the United Kingdom, and we stand with you with Ukraine for as long as it may take,” he added.
Zelenskyy expressed gratitude for Britain’s unwavering support.
“I want to thank you, the people of the United Kingdom, for such big support from the very beginning of this war,” he said.
The leaders held a closed-door meeting for approximately 75 minutes before Starmer escorted Zelenskyy to his car, exchanging another embrace.
Tensions Over Trump’s Ukraine Stance
The London meeting came as Zelenskyy attempted to contain the fallout from his confrontation with Trump the previous day. Despite the clash, the Ukrainian leader stressed the importance of securing Trump’s support, recognizing the former president’s influence on U.S. policy toward Ukraine.
On Friday, Trump chastised Zelenskyy for not pursuing peace with Russia, a statement that alarmed Kyiv’s European allies. The shift in Washington’s stance on the war has sent shockwaves through European capitals, with leaders scrambling to reaffirm their backing for Ukraine.
“Yesterday evening underlined that a new age of infamy has begun,” said German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk and Starmer were among several European leaders who reiterated their commitment to supporting Kyiv following the dispute. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte also weighed in, advising Zelenskyy in an interview with the BBC that he needed to “find a way” to repair ties with Trump.
Meanwhile, Russian officials reveled in the rift. Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev mocked Zelenskyy, calling him an “insolent pig” who had received “a proper slap down in the Oval Office.”
Although Zelenskyy departed Washington without signing a deal on Ukraine’s rare minerals, he insisted negotiations were still on the table.
“It’s crucial for us to have President Trump’s support. He wants to end the war, but no one wants peace more than we do,” Zelenskyy posted on social media platform X.
European Leaders Confront Growing Security Concerns
On Sunday, Zelenskyy will join emergency talks with European allies, attended by Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. The meeting comes as fears grow over the United States’ continued commitment to NATO and its role in European security.
Trump’s outreach to Russian President Vladimir Putin, sidelining both Kyiv and Europe in pursuit of a peace deal, has rattled NATO allies. His refusal to explicitly condemn Russia’s invasion has only deepened concerns about the future of transatlantic relations.
European leaders are now debating the possibility of strengthening their own defense capabilities. French President Emmanuel Macron suggested opening discussions on a European nuclear deterrent, warning that the continent “can no longer depend on the American nuclear deterrent.”
Germany’s likely next chancellor, Friedrich Merz, echoed the urgency of European self-reliance, stating that the continent must “achieve independence” from the United States on defense.
However, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban—one of Trump’s closest allies in Europe—opposed any EU-wide military agreement on Ukraine, calling instead for direct negotiations with Russia.
“I am convinced that the European Union—following the example of the United States—should enter into direct discussions with Russia on a ceasefire and a sustainable peace in Ukraine,” Orban wrote in a letter.
With mounting uncertainty over U.S. leadership in the conflict, Sunday’s talks in London will be a crucial moment for European leaders as they seek a united strategy on Ukraine’s future.
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