Ukraine’s Zelensky embraced by UK’s Starmer a day after Trump meltdown
The president was told he had Britain’s unwavering support before a meeting with King Charles and a summit with other European leaders
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer embraced Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday and told him he had the nation’s unwavering support a day after the blowout at the White House with US President Donald Trump.
The two countries also unveiled a £2.26 billion (US$2.84 billion) loan agreement to support Ukraine’s defence capabilities, to be paid back with the profits of immobilised sovereign Russian assets. “The funds will be directed toward weapons production in Ukraine,” Zelensky later said on social media.
The Ukrainian leader arrived outside 10 Downing Street to shouts of support from a gathered crowd, and was welcomed by Starmer, who gave him a hug and ushered him inside.
“And as you heard from the cheers on the street outside, you have full backing across the United Kingdom,” Starmer told the leader of the war-torn country. “We stand with you, with Ukraine, for as long as it may take.”
Zelensky thanked him and the people of the UK for their support and friendship.
The meeting comes the day after an extraordinary diplomatic meltdown when Trump and US Vice-President J.D. Vance blasted Zelensky in the Oval Office on live television for not being grateful enough for US support.
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The full heated argument between Zelensky, Trump and Vance