Starmer Reassures Zelensky of UK Support Following White House Clash
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has reaffirmed Britain’s unwavering support for Ukraine after President Volodymyr Zelensky faced a humiliating dismissal from the White House following a contentious meeting with Donald Trump.
Welcoming Mr. Zelensky to Downing Street on Saturday, Sir Keir embraced him warmly and declared, “You’re very, very welcome here in Downing Street.” He reassured the Ukrainian leader of the UK’s steadfast backing, adding, “As you heard from the cheers on the street outside, you have full support across the United Kingdom, and we stand with you and Ukraine for as long as necessary.”
The cordial reception in London stood in stark contrast to Friday’s explosive encounter in the Oval Office, where Mr. Trump reportedly told Mr. Zelensky, “You’re gambling with World War Three,” before ejecting him from the meeting—derailing hopes for a peace agreement between Ukraine and Russia.
Expressing gratitude, Mr. Zelensky told the Prime Minister, “We count on your support and are really, really happy to have such partners and friends.” He praised Britain for its steadfast commitment “from the very beginning of the war.”
During his UK visit, Mr. Zelensky is also scheduled to meet King Charles on Sunday, following a high-stakes summit of European leaders in London organized by the British government. The summit comes just days after the King extended an invitation to Mr. Trump for a state visit to Britain.
Pushing for European Unity and Security
At the summit, Sir Keir will urge European leaders to “step up” in ensuring the continent’s security in the wake of the turbulent White House meeting. Convening representatives from 13 European nations, along with Turkey and Canada, he aims to act as a bridge between the U.S. and Europe. His message: “Now is the time for actions, not words.”
The discussions will center on bolstering support for Ukraine, negotiating a potential peace deal, and securing long-term security guarantees. To reinforce the UK’s commitment, the Prime Minister will highlight Britain’s increased defense spending as a tangible example of leadership.
Unlocking Frozen Russian Assets
As part of its continued support, the UK government will release £2 billion in dividends and profits from frozen Russian assets in a one-off payment to the Ukrainian military. The policy, originally announced in October, will now be finalized through a loan agreement with Ukraine’s finance minister.
Mr. Zelensky welcomed the move, posting on social media: “This is true justice—the one who started the war must be the one to pay. I thank the people and government of the United Kingdom for their tremendous support from the very beginning of this war.”
Last week, Sir Keir committed to increasing defense spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027, funded by cuts to development aid. The summit, initially planned earlier this week, now takes on greater urgency as Ukraine’s relationship with the U.S. reaches a critical juncture.
Repairing Relations with Washington
Before arriving in the UK, Mr. Zelensky expressed regret over Friday’s Oval Office confrontation, stating, “We are truly thankful. We want only strong relations with America, and I really hope we will have them.” His remarks followed U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s suggestion that Mr. Zelensky should apologize for the dispute with Mr. Trump and Vice President JD Vance.
It was revealed that Sir Keir attempted to mediate by encouraging Mr. Zelensky to return to the White House for further discussions, speaking with both Mr. Zelensky and U.S. officials by phone. However, his efforts were unsuccessful. Despite this, the Prime Minister remains committed to securing an American security “backstop” for Europe, as indicated by his ongoing discussions with the U.S.
On Saturday, Sir Keir also spoke with President Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron, both of whom were focused on finding a way forward. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has similarly urged Mr. Zelensky to mend ties with Washington.
European Leaders React
Meanwhile, UK Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch warned that America’s commitment to NATO’s European deterrence “cannot be taken for granted.” Writing in The Telegraph, she stated, “We in Europe must do whatever it takes, on our own if we must, to ensure that Ukraine can secure its freedom and democracy.” She also suggested that the Prime Minister could emulate Margaret Thatcher’s leadership by raising defense spending to 3% of GDP through “difficult decisions” on public finances.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage called the White House altercation “regrettable” but insisted that “this is not the end of the story—far from it. A peace deal is essential, and Ukraine needs the right security guarantees.”
As Europe navigates this critical moment, Sir Keir’s summit aims to solidify a united front, ensuring that Ukraine remains supported in its fight for sovereignty and security.
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