British Prime Minister Keir Starmer greeted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy with a warm embrace upon his arrival in London, setting a positive tone for discussions following a tense encounter at the White House with U.S. President Donald Trump. Zelenskyy's visit to the UK comes at a crucial time as he seeks to secure support from European allies ahead of a key summit. The summit, scheduled for Sunday, will focus on a peace plan for Ukraine, which has been embroiled in conflict since Russia's invasion three years ago.
Zelenskyy's meeting with Starmer was characterized by "important and warm" talks. They discussed strategies to strengthen Ukraine's position and secure reliable security guarantees. Crowds gathered outside Starmer's Downing Street office, cheering enthusiastically as Zelenskyy arrived, highlighting the public's support for Ukraine.
"I hope you heard some of that cheering in the street. That is the people of the United Kingdom coming out to demonstrate how much they support you… and our absolute determination to stand with you," said Starmer.
In addition to his meeting with Starmer, Zelenskyy will meet King Charles on Sunday. He also took to the Telegram messaging app to express gratitude for the UK's support, noting the full backing he has received across the nation. The support comes at a critical juncture, as Trump recently threatened to withdraw U.S. support for Ukraine.
Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron has been actively engaging with both Zelenskyy and Trump. Following the White House clash, Macron called for calm and emphasized the importance of coordination among European partners.
"During our talks we discussed the challenges standing before Ukraine and all of Europe, coordination with our partners, concrete steps to strengthen Ukraine's position and ending the war in a just fashion, with reliable security guarantees," stated Zelenskyy.
The recent meeting between Zelenskyy and Trump has underscored significant differences between traditional allies, the United States and Europe, regarding the ongoing conflict. Senior Russian politicians have reacted with satisfaction to what they perceive as Zelenskyy's White House humiliation. However, European leaders have rallied around Zelenskyy, issuing messages of support for both him and Ukraine.
"We stand with you and Ukraine for as long as it may take," declared Starmer, reaffirming the UK's commitment amid challenging circumstances.
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