UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer welcomed Volodymyr Zelenskyy in London, a day after the Ukrainian leader clashed with US President Donald Trump in Washington DC.
Ahead of Sunday’s summit in London to discuss ways to support Ukraine in its war with Russia, Starmer reiterated his support for Kyiv.
“In partnership with our allies, we must intensify our preparations for the European element of security guarantees alongside continued discussions with the United States,” he said in a statement issued late Saturday.
“Now is the time for us to unite in order to guarantee the best outcome for Ukraine, protect European security, and secure our collective future,” he added.
Hours earlier, Ukraine and the UK announced a $2.84 billion loan agreement to support Kyiv’s defence capabilities, to be paid back with the profits of immobilised sovereign Russian assets.
“The funds will be directed toward weapons production in Ukraine,” Zelenskyy said on X.
“During our talks, we discussed the challenges facing Ukraine and all of Europe, coordination with partners, concrete steps to strengthen Ukraine’s position, and ending the war with a just peace, along with robust security guarantees,” he wrote on X.
Zelenskyy’s convoy received cheers from supporters in Downing Street, where he was embraced by Starmer and posed for photographs before heading inside the British leader’s home.
“You’re very, very welcome here in Downing Street,” Starmer told Zelenskyy.
“I want to thank you, the people of the United Kingdom, for such big support from the very beginning of this war,” Zelenskyy responded.
He is due to meet King Charles III on Sunday.
The leaders met behind closed doors for around 75 minutes and embraced again as Starmer escorted Zelensky to his car.
