Starmer gives Zelensky 'full backing' in warm No 10 welcome

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer met with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy at Downing Street, expressing "the whole of the UK stands shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine." This meeting came after Zelenskyy concluded his meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House, a meeting that had previously stalled due to disagreements.

President Zelenskyy told Prime Minister Starmer that he was glad to have "such friends" as the UK. The two sides also signed a £2.26 billion loan agreement for the supply of military materials to Ukraine, which will be repaid using profits generated from frozen Russian assets. Following the meeting, Prime Minister Starmer also spoke separately with President Trump and French President Macron.

Prime Minister Starmer will host a summit of European leaders in London on Sunday aimed at advancing efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war and discussing broader European defense issues. Meanwhile, President Zelenskyy will meet with King Charles III. However, the events in Washington and concerns about a possible deterioration in U.S.-Ukraine relations will undoubtedly cast a shadow over these meetings.

In recent weeks, Prime Minister Starmer has been trying to play the role of a bridge between the United States and Europe in response to the Trump administration's desire to reduce its involvement in European defense. On the day before President Zelenskyy's visit to the UK, Prime Minister Starmer held a friendly meeting with President Trump and personally delivered a letter from the King, inviting President Trump, who is quite fond of the British royal family, for an unprecedented second state visit.

Following his meeting at Downing Street, President Zelenskyy praised the UK's "huge" support, specifically mentioning the £2.26 billion loan paid for through frozen Russian assets. He stated that these funds would be used to produce weapons in Ukraine, adding: "This is real justice – those who started the war must pay for it." Despite the challenging dialogue with President Trump, President Zelenskyy emphasized the strategic partnership between Ukraine and the United States, stating that frank communication is essential for understanding common goals.

Sunday's London summit will be the latest in a series of high-level meetings in Europe to address Washington's new approach to ending the war in Ukraine. The Trump administration has so far excluded Europe from preliminary talks with Russia, and the president himself has been accused of repeating Russian propaganda. The summit's top priority will be to enhance Europe's defense capabilities in response to the gradual withdrawal of the United States, and to seek U.S. security guarantees for Ukraine as part of any peace agreement.

Meanwhile, the northeastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv was hit by a drone attack overnight, injuring seven people. Ukraine's State Emergency Service said a three-story medical facility caught fire after being struck by a drone, leading to the evacuation of 64 people, most of whom were patients. The Russian Defense Ministry reported that it had "intercepted and destroyed" 48 Ukrainian drones overnight.