LONDON — British Prime Minister Keir Starmer warmly welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Saturday, expressing unwavering support from the United Kingdom just a day after a tumultuous encounter with President Donald Trump at the White House.
As Zelenskyy arrived at 10 Downing Street, he was met with cheers from the assembled crowd. Starmer embraced him before inviting him inside, reaffirming the UK’s steadfast backing. “As you heard from the cheers outside, the United Kingdom stands fully behind you,” Starmer said, addressing the leader engulfed in the ongoing conflict. “We stand with Ukraine, for as long as necessary.”
Zelenskyy extended his gratitude to Starmer and the British people for their enduring support and friendship, emphasizing the importance of their alliance.
This visit followed an intense diplomatic confrontation in Washington, where Trump and Vice President JD Vance publicly criticized Zelenskyy for what they perceived as a lack of appreciation for U.S. assistance, doing so in a live broadcast from the Oval Office. The meeting was set against a backdrop of discussions regarding a potential agreement allowing U.S. access to Ukraine’s mineral resources, amid Trump’s urging for a resolution to the conflict with Russia. However, Zelenskyy left the U.S. without formalizing any deal.
Originally scheduled for Sunday, the meeting with Starmer was moved up following the surprising events in Washington. Before attending a summit with European leaders focused on Ukraine and bolstering continental defenses, Zelenskyy will meet King Charles III on Sunday. The summit, set to take place at Lancaster House, a historic mansion near Buckingham Palace, promises to be an important gathering for strategic dialogue and alliance fortification.
