London: British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer assured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of the UK's unwavering support during their meeting at 10 Downing Street. Starmer emphasized that "the whole of Britain stands firmly with Ukraine."
Zelensky, who arrived in London following his meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House, expressed gratitude for the UK’s continued backing, calling Britain a "great friend" of Ukraine.
During the discussions, both leaders signed a £2.26 billion military aid package for Ukraine. The loan will be funded through profits generated from frozen Russian assets, reinforcing the UK's commitment to supporting Ukraine in its defense against Russia.
Looking ahead, Prime Minister Starmer is set to host a European leaders' summit on Sunday, where efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war and broader European defense strategies will be discussed. President Zelensky is also scheduled to meet King Charles III.
However, the diplomatic engagements come amid concerns over recent developments in Washington and the state of UK-U.S. relations. In recent weeks, Prime Minister Starmer has sought to position himself as a key figure in transatlantic diplomacy, bridging the gap between Europe and the United States.
Notably, Starmer’s meeting with President Trump, held just a day before Trump’s talks with Zelensky, has been described as significant. During their discussion, the British Prime Minister presented a letter from King Charles III, inviting Trump for a second official state visit—an invitation that sparked controversy among SNP members of Parliament following disputes in the Oval Office.
Saturday’s meeting at 10 Downing Street allowed Starmer to reaffirm the UK's steadfast support for Ukraine, especially in light of differing public opinions regarding Trump.
A crowd gathered outside 10 Downing Street to welcome President Zelensky, demonstrating public solidarity with Ukraine. Starmer highlighted this support, telling Zelensky, "These are the people of Britain coming out to show just how much they stand with you and Ukraine."
He further assured the Ukrainian leader, "We will stand with you and Ukraine for as long as you need us, no matter how long it takes."
