Zelensky meets Starmer: United Kingdom stands with Ukraine

(Patria) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived tonight for a meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer. He greeted him with a handshake, then warmly embraced him as they posed for photographs.

Zelensky thanked the United Kingdom and told Starmer: "We are counting on your support."

"With pleasure, thank you very much, Mr. Prime Minister, I am happy to be here. Really, I have seen many people and I want to thank you and the people of the United Kingdom for the great support from the very beginning of this war. Thank you and your team," said Zelensky.

The Ukrainian president specifically emphasized the significance of the upcoming meeting with King Charles III, stressing how much the strategic partnership with Great Britain means to Ukraine.

"I am very happy that His Majesty has accepted my meeting tomorrow and I am grateful that you have organized such a great summit for tomorrow," he added.

Zelensky and Starmer also discussed further cooperation, with the Ukrainian president emphasizing the importance of the agreement signed between the two countries.

"We are very happy in Ukraine to have such strategic partners. We have signed a historic document with you," said Zelensky, to which the British Prime Minister interjected: "A 100-year agreement."

Starmer emphasized that the United Kingdom fully supports Ukraine.

"You have full support across the United Kingdom and we stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes," said the British Prime Minister, emphasizing the importance of ensuring lasting peace based on Ukraine's sovereignty and security.

The gathered citizens in front of Downing Street applauded Zelensky upon his arrival, which Starmer used as a sign of broad support from the United Kingdom for Ukraine.

"I hope you heard some of that applause on the street. These are the people of the United Kingdom who have come out to show how much they support you, how much they support Ukraine, and how determined they are to stand with you," said Starmer.

Zelensky's visit comes just a day after his historic confrontation with Donald Trump at the White House. At that meeting, the US President sharply criticized him, accusing him of not being grateful enough for American military aid. Vice President JD Vance further escalated the situation, asking him if he had "thanked him even once" during the meeting. Tensions culminated when Trump's advisors advised ending the meeting, after which Zelensky left the White House. The press conference was also canceled.

A warm reception in London and clear British support for Ukraine, on the other hand, send a strong message of European unity ahead of upcoming key diplomatic talks on future aid to Kyiv.

Zelensky also spoke with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.

Rutte said that the conflict between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House was "unfortunate" and that the two leaders should work to restore their relationship.

"I have spoken with President Zelensky by phone twice. I told him this: we must stick together – the United States, Ukraine, and Europe – to bring Ukraine to lasting peace," Rutte said.

When asked what Zelensky told him about the meeting with Trump, Rutte replied that he could not reveal details of the conversation, but emphasized: "What I clearly told him is that we really must respect what President Trump has done for Ukraine so far," referring to the advanced Javelin anti-tank systems that the US had previously supplied to Kyiv.

Rutte emphasized that Ukraine would be "nowhere" without American support. "I told him: we really must give credit to Trump for what he did then, for what America has done since then, and what America is still doing."

He also insisted that Trump is committed to ensuring lasting peace in Ukraine, but expects greater defense spending from European NATO members and Canada.

"Listen, I spoke with Donald Trump for half an hour on Thursday. We are friends. We have worked together for years. I know he is committed to bringing Ukraine to lasting peace. He is committed to NATO. Of course, he expects European NATO allies and Canada to invest more and increase arms production. And he is right about that."

"I am absolutely convinced that the US wants to bring Ukraine to lasting peace. All senior administration officials told me this during my conversations with President Trump. But what is crucial is that we all cooperate in this process. It is also important that President Zelensky finds a way to restore relations with the US President and senior officials in Washington," said Rutte.