'Britain stands with Ukraine': Zelenskyy gets warm welcome by UK PM day after blowup with Trump

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer meets Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at Downing Street in London on Saturday. (Photo: Reuters)

A day after a public blowup with US President Donald Trump at the White House, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy received a warm welcome by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Saturday.

"In partnership with our allies, we must intensify our preparations for the European element of security guarantees alongside continued discussions with the United States," Starmer said in a statement issued late on Saturday.

"Now is the time for us to unite in order to guarantee the best outcome for Ukraine, protect European security, and secure our collective future," he added.

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Supporters cheered as Zelenskyy's convoy swept into Downing Street, where he was embraced by Starmer and posed for photographs before heading inside the British leader's residence, AFP reported.

"You're very, very welcome here in Downing Street," Starmer told Zelenskyy, AFP reported.

Taking to X, Keir Starmer stated, "Action, not just words. Britain stands with Ukraine, today and always."

Action, not just words.Britain stands with Ukraine, today and always pic.twitter.com/pDFRjKQYH6
Keir Starmer (@Keir_Starmer) March 1, 2025

Unlike the tense atmosphere at the Oval Office during his talks with Trump on ending the Ukraine war, the Ukrainian President was embraced by Starmer outside his 10 Downing Street residence

"I want to thank you, the people of the United Kingdom, for such big support from the very beginning of this war," Zelensky responded.

Also Read: Trump-Zelenskyy clash divides US Republicans, dims aid prospects

Ukraine and the UK also signed a $2.84 billion loan agreement to support Ukraine's defence capabilities, to be paid back with the profits of immobilised sovereign Russian assets.

"The funds will be directed toward weapons production in Ukraine," Zelensky said on X.

London. A meaningful and warm meeting with Prime Minister @Keir_Starmer.During our talks, we discussed the challenges facing Ukraine and all of Europe, coordination with partners, concrete steps to strengthen Ukraines position, and ending the war with a just peace, along with pic.twitter.com/IAwcPgbhYW Volodymyr Zelenskyy / (@ZelenskyyUa) March 1, 2025

The leaders met behind closed doors for around 75 minutes, and embraced again as Starmer escorted Zelenskyy to his car. Their meeting comes ahead of a key European summit in London.

The UK has been a vocal supporter of Ukraine and King Charles, who will meet Zelenskyy on Sunday, has previously expressed his support for him. King Charles earlier spoke of the "determination and strength" of the Ukrainian people in the face of an unprovoked attack from Russia.

The Ukrainian President is due to meet the King at his Sandringham estate in eastern England, according to the UK's Sun newspaper.

Diplomatic showdown at White House

In an extraordinary meeting on Friday, Donald Trump threatened to withdraw support for Ukraine, and accused Zelenskyy of showing disrespect to the US.

The confrontation escalated to such an extent that the Ukrainian President was asked to leave the White House without signing a minerals agreement, which is expected to strengthen economic and defence ties between Kyiv and Washington.

Several European leaders issued messages of support for Zelenskyy and Ukraine after his meeting with Trump, highlighting differences between traditional allies - the US and Europe - over the war since Trump returned to office.

After the spat, Zelenskyy on Saturday said the support of Trump was crucial in their war with Russia and that he was ready to sign the minerals deal. However, he reiterated that such agreements alone are not enough and asserted that Ukraine would not back any US-backed peace deal without any security guarantees for Kyiv in ending the war with Russia.

(With inputs from agencies)