British Prime Minister Kiel’s Preferred embraced Ukrainian President Voldymi Zelensky and told him he had gained the country’s unwavering support the day after US President Donald Trump and Zelensky’s public nausea in the White House.
Zelenskyy arrived Saturday and shouted support from people gathered outside 10 Downing Street.
“You’re very welcome here on Downing Street,” Starmer told Zelensky. “And as you’ve heard from the cheers on the streets outside, you’re fully supportive of the UK.”
“We will stand with you and with Ukraine.
Zelensky replied that he saw hundreds of supporters gather outside Downing Street, saying, “I would like to thank the British people for their great support from the beginning of this war.”
“I am very pleased that the King has accepted my meeting tomorrow. I am very pleased to have such a strategic partner in Ukraine,” he added. “We rely on your support.”
The UK and Ukraine signed loan agreements worth 2.24 billion pounds ($2.844 billion) on Saturday to support Ukraine’s defensive capabilities.
Finance Ministers of both countries, Rachel Reeves and Sergie Marchenko, had the priority candidates met Zelensky and signed the loan at a virtual ceremony. It is to be repaid with profits on fixed sovereign Russian assets.
The Starmars office said that when he met London’s Zelensky on Saturday before the wider summit of European leaders, Downing Street would focus on strengthening its support in Ukraine to “ensure fair and lasting peace.”
Sunday’s summit is also expected to address the need to increase European defence cooperation amid fears about whether the US will continue to support Ukraine or NATO.
French President Emmanuel Macron said he is ready to “open a debate” about future European nuclear deterrence after a demand from Friedrich Merz, who is expected to become Germany’s next prime minister.
Meltz emphasizes the need for the continent to move quickly from the US to “achieve independence” on defense issues.
Reported from London, Al Jazeera’s Milena Veselinovich said the summit would take on “higher importance” after a fierce meeting on Friday, accusing Zelenki of being “disrespectful.”
“European leaders are currently fighting for the true prospect that the US does not support Ukraine militarily, or perhaps not withdrawing some of its support,” she said.
“European leaders need to really see if they can step up to the plate and if they can protect Ukraine themselves. Many analysts believe it is a very high order and a big challenge for Europe.”
Trump Zelensky’s line
During the conflict in the oval office in front of us and the eyes of international media, Trump and Vice President JD Vance spoke angerously to Zelensky, accusing him of not being “thank you” and refused to accept the proposed terms of peace.
“You don’t have a card right now,” Trump said. “You either make a deal or we go out and if we go out, you’ll fight it, and I wouldn’t think it would be clean.”
Most European leaders were left uneasy at the odds on Friday and rushed to Zelensky’s defense.
European Union leaders Ursula von der Reyen and Antonio Costa assured Zelensky that he was “never alone.”
“Be strong, brave, fearless,” the President of the European Commission and Council of Europe wrote in a joint statement, “We will continue to work with you for just and lasting peace.”
Macron said Russia was the “invaders” of the Ukrainian war, and the Ukrainians were “people who were attacked.”
“We supported Ukraine three years ago, sanctioned Russia and allowed us to continue doing so,” he said.
“We must never confuse invaders and victims in this terrible war.” Meltz said.
Most European leaders appeared to be on their side with Zelensky’s Prime Minister Victor Orban Zelensky, an intimate ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, but supported Trump.
“Strong men make peace, weak men go to war. Today, the President (Trump) stood bravely for peace,” he wrote in X.
Trump reached out to Putin last month to surprise many in Europe when Moscow asked for a deal with Ukraine, which he invaded three years ago.
