Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy received a warm welcome from British Prime Minister Keir Starmer outside 10 Downing St. in London on Saturday, shortly after his contentious meeting with President Donald Trump in Washington, D.C. Zelenskyy embraced Starmer, shared handshakes, waved to the media, and offered a thumbs up before they moved inside the prime minister’s residence for discussions. This visit came on the heels of a heated exchange between Zelenskyy and Trump, along with Vice President JD Vance, during a televised Oval Office meeting on Friday.
Outside the prime minister’s residence in London, Zelenskyy faced a barrage of questions from reporters regarding his interaction with Trump but chose to remain silent. The Associated Press reported that Britain will provide Zelenskyy and Ukraine with a loan amounting to $2.84 billion aimed at military assets.
During their greeting, Starmer expressed, “You’re very, very welcome here in Downing Street. As you probably heard from the cheers outside, you have full backing across the United Kingdom. We stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes.” He shared hopes for a “lasting peace for Ukraine based on sovereignty and security,” emphasizing its importance not only for Ukraine but also for Europe and the UK.
Zelenskyy responded with appreciation, stating that the British people had shown “big support from the very beginning of this war.” He also expressed excitement about meeting King Charles III at Sandringham on Sunday.
Tensions rose during the preceding Oval Office meeting when Zelenskyy suggested that Russian President Vladimir Putin was untrustworthy and had previously violated agreements. Trump and Vance criticized Zelenskyy for not showing gratitude towards U.S. support, indicating his precarious position at the negotiating table. “You’re gambling with the lives of millions of people,” Trump exclaimed angrily.
Following this exchange, Zelenskyy was asked to leave the White House, resulting in the cancellation of a scheduled news conference and leaving an unsigned agreement concerning Ukraine’s rare earth minerals.
Despite the friction, Zelenskyy publicly acknowledged the assistance from the United States after the White House meeting. “Thank you America, thank you for your support, and this visit,” he posted on X, expressing his goal for a “just and lasting peace.”
During an interview with Fox News after the Oval Office incident, the Ukrainian president expressed hope that ties between Ukraine and the U.S. could be repaired, stating, “It’s historical relations, strong relations between our people.” He emphasized gratitude towards the American people, saying that maintaining strong relations is a priority, and while he noted the tension, he believed it was “bad for both sides.
