Zelenskyy moves forward post-Oval Office clash with Trump

LONDON — After a fiery encounter with U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice-President JD Vance in the Oval Office, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has made his way to London for further diplomatic engagements.

Zelenskyy took to social media to express his gratitude towards the United States following the contentious meeting with Trump. Despite the meeting’s dramatic turn, Zelenskyy emphasized appreciation for the “American people” and their leadership, reaffirming his hope for maintaining “strong relations” with the nation. The visit, initially aimed at securing a mineral agreement as a step towards achieving a fair ceasefire, concluded without the anticipated progress.

In his posts on social media platform X on Saturday, Zelenskyy extended his thanks specifically to Trump, Congress, and the wider U.S. population for their ongoing support. “Our relationship with the American President surpasses mere diplomatic exchanges; it is a historic alliance that binds our peoples,” he stated. “The American people have been instrumental in aiding our citizens. We desire robust ties with America and I sincerely hope for their continuity,” he remarked.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is scheduled to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy earlier than planned, following the intense discussions at the White House. Zelenskyy’s aircraft, identifiable by the Ukrainian flag emblazoned on its tail, touched down at London Stansted Airport shortly after the highly publicized incident in Washington.

Originally, Zelenskyy’s meeting with Starmer was set for Sunday, just ahead of a significant European summit in London where leaders will debate pathways to a peaceful resolution to the ongoing war and broader security measures across Europe. The accelerated timeline for Zelenskyy’s meeting with Starmer appears to be a direct result of the events that unfolded during his Washington visit.