London – Prime Minister Keir Starmer pledged the United Kingdom’s “full backing” for Ukraine as he welcomed President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to Downing Street on Saturday, reinforcing the UK’s commitment to Ukraine amid shifting global diplomatic dynamics.
Zelenskyy, fresh from a contentious meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House, expressed gratitude for the UK’s steadfast support, calling the British “such friends” to Ukraine.
During their meeting, Starmer and Zelenskyy signed a £2.26 billion loan agreement to support Ukraine’s military needs, to be repaid using profits from frozen Russian assets. The financial package, first announced in October, will help produce weapons in Ukraine.
“This is true justice—the one who started the war must be the one to pay,” Zelenskyy said, referring to Russia.
Starmer’s meeting with Zelenskyy followed recent discussions with Trump, where he positioned himself as a key intermediary between Washington and Europe amid the Trump administration’s reduced involvement in European defense.
Starmer also facilitated communication between Ukraine and the U.S., reaching out to both Trump and Zelenskyy after their Oval Office dispute.
On Sunday, the prime minister will host a high-level European summit in London to discuss strategies for ending the war and bolstering European defense. The event will include leaders from France, Germany, and Poland, as well as NATO’s secretary general and European Commission officials.
Zelenskyy is also scheduled to meet King Charles III, a meeting reportedly requested by the Ukrainian president and approved by the UK government.
As Zelenskyy stepped outside Downing Street, Starmer highlighted public support for Ukraine, noting cheers from the gathered crowd.
“That is the people of the United Kingdom coming out to demonstrate how much they support you, how much they support Ukraine,” Starmer told Zelenskyy. “We stand with you and Ukraine for as long as it may take.”
Zelenskyy responded by thanking the UK for its unwavering commitment, saying, “I saw a lot of people and I want to thank you, the people of the United Kingdom, [for] such big support from the very beginning of this war.”
The Downing Street meeting comes amid heightened tensions between Kyiv and Washington following Zelenskyy’s White House meeting with Trump. Reports indicate that the discussion, originally intended to secure security guarantees for Ukraine, turned into a heated exchange.
In a statement, Zelenskyy attempted to mend relations with the U.S., acknowledging “tough dialogue” but emphasizing that Ukraine and the U.S. remain “strategic partners.” He also underscored the necessity of U.S. support, stating, “It’s crucial for us to have President Trump’s support. He wants to end the war, but no one wants peace more than we do.”
As Washington signals a shift in its approach to the war, European leaders are preparing to take on a greater defense role. At Sunday’s summit, discussions will center on increasing Europe’s military capabilities and securing long-term security guarantees for Ukraine.
Ahead of a previous summit in Paris, Starmer proposed deploying British troops to Ukraine as part of a European peacekeeping force, contingent on a U.S. security “backstop.” However, Trump has resisted committing direct military support, instead offering economic incentives such as a minerals trade deal.
Reports suggest that the Trump administration is considering cutting U.S. aid to Ukraine entirely, raising concerns among European allies.
As diplomatic negotiations continue, fighting on the ground remains intense. In Ukraine’s northeastern city of Kharkiv, seven people were injured in a Russian drone attack overnight, which also set fire to a medical facility.
Meanwhile, Russia’s defense ministry reported that it intercepted and destroyed 48 Ukrainian drones overnight, reflecting the ongoing escalation in military operations. With growing uncertainty over U.S. policy toward Ukraine, European leaders are expected to push for stronger collective defense measures at Sunday’s summit, solidifying Europe’s role in shaping the future of the conflict
