LONDON (AP) — British Prime Minister Keir Starmer embraced Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Saturday and informed him he had the U.Ok.’s unwavering assist, a day after the blowout on the White Home with President Trump.
Zelenskyy arrived to cheers from individuals who had gathered outdoors of 10 Downing St., the place Starmer gave him a hug and ushered him inside. The 2 leaders met on the eve of a gathering of European leaders in London. Known as to debate how European nations can defend Ukraine — and themselves — if the U.S. withdraws assist, it has taken on new urgency following Trump’s televised berating of Zelenskyy.
“And as you heard from the cheers on the road outdoors, you will have full backing throughout the UK,” Starmer informed the chief of the war-torn nation. “We stand with you, with Ukraine, for so long as it could take.”
Zelenskyy thanked him and the folks of the U.Ok. for his or her assist and friendship.
After the assembly, Britain introduced it was extending a 2.26 billion pound ($2.84 billion) mortgage to Kyiv for navy procurement, with the cash coming from the earnings on frozen Russian belongings. It’s Britain’s contribution to a $50 billion package deal of assist pledged by the G-7 group of rich industrialized nations.
Zelenskyy thanked Britain in a press release on X, saying: “That is true justice – the one who began the conflict have to be the one to pay.”
Starmer spoke to each Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday night after assembly Zelenskyy, the prime minister’s workplace mentioned.
The assembly comes the day after a unprecedented diplomatic meltdown when Trump and Vice President JD Vance blasted Zelenskyy within the Oval Workplace on reside tv for not being grateful sufficient for U.S. assist.
Zelenskyy had been poised to ink a deal to offer the U.S. entry to mineral riches as Trump pressures Ukraine to succeed in a deal to finish the conflict with Russia. However he left city with out signing something.
Zelenskyy had been scheduled to satisfy with Starmer on Sunday earlier than the European summit, however the timetable for his or her bilateral assembly was apparently sped up within the aftermath of the Washington go to.
Zelenskyy will meet with King Charles III on Sunday earlier than the assembly at Lancaster Home, a 200-year-old mansion close to Buckingham Palace.
