Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was warmly greeted by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Saturday, just one day after a heated exchange with President Trump at the White House. At 10 Downing Street in London, the two leaders shared an embrace as Starmer reaffirmed the UK’s strong support for Ukraine, with onlookers applauding. “The people of the United Kingdom are showing their support for you and for Ukraine,” Starmer said. “We stand with you, no matter how long it takes.”
Zelensky and Starmer also signed a new $3.3 billion agreement to bolster Ukraine’s military capabilities, with the loan to be repaid using frozen Russian assets. Zelensky stated on X, “This loan will enhance Ukraine’s defense, with the repayment coming from Russian assets. This is true justice – the one who started the war should pay for it. I thank the UK for its immense support from the start.”
Ahead of a Sunday summit with European leaders on defense and security, Zelensky was also scheduled to meet King Charles at his Sandringham estate. This diplomatic visit followed a public confrontation between Zelensky, Trump, and Vice President JD Vance in the Oval Office the previous day.
During the altercation, Vance criticized Zelensky for participating in photo-ops with Democrats and accused him of ingratitude for US assistance in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. Trump also claimed Zelensky had “disrespected the United States.”
The two leaders had been set to finalize a joint US-Ukraine deal involving investments in Ukraine’s rare-earth minerals. Trump had tried for weeks to get Zelensky to sign the agreement, even sending Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to Kyiv. However, after some disagreements, Zelensky rejected the initial deal, and while a revised draft was agreed upon, it wasn’t signed during his Washington visit. A White House spokesperson stated that after the heated discussion, Trump reportedly wanted Zelensky to leave.
