Keir Starmer Affirms Support for Ukraine During Zelensky's Visit
Ukrainian president secures £2.26bn loan for military supplies as UK leaders reaffirm commitment amid tensions with the US.
Sir Keir Starmer, the leader of the UK's Labour Party, met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at Downing Street, providing what he described as 'full backing' from across the United Kingdom for Ukraine amidst ongoing conflict with Russia.
This meeting follows Zelensky's recent discussions with US President Donald Trump, which reportedly ended in a disagreement.
During the visit, Zelensky and Starmer signed a £2.26 billion loan agreement directed towards Ukrainian military supplies.
This funding is structured to be repaid using profits from Russian assets that have been frozen since the onset of the war.
Prime Minister Starmer is scheduled to host a summit of European leaders focused on strategies to address the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, alongside discussions regarding broader European defense initiatives.
Zelensky is also set to meet King Charles III during his visit.
Starmer's meetings with Zelensky come at a crucial moment, particularly following diplomatic tensions arising from Zelensky's interaction with Trump, with whom Starmer had a cordial meeting just a day prior to Zelensky's arrival.
Some members of the Scottish National Party (SNP) have urged Starmer to reconsider the invitation extended to Trump for a second state visit, especially after the contentious White House meeting.
In his remarks to Zelensky, Starmer noted the public support for Ukraine evident during the visit, stating, 'That is the people of the United Kingdom coming out to demonstrate how much they support you, how much they support Ukraine.' In response, Zelensky expressed gratitude for the UK's extensive support, highlighting the significance of the recently negotiated loan.
Zelensky remarked, 'This is true justice - the one who started the war must be the one to pay,' emphasizing the use of the loan proceeds for weapon production within Ukraine.
The meeting was a pivotal opportunity for Starmer to showcase ongoing UK support for Zelensky following the fallout with Trump.
Zelensky, in a subsequent statement, acknowledged the complexities of US-Ukraine relations, asserting that mutual honesty is necessary for understanding common objectives.
The forthcoming European summit will feature discussions on enhancing Europe’s defense capabilities, particularly in light of the US's perceived retreat from European military involvement.
The Trump administration has been criticized for marginalizing European allies in preliminary negotiations with Russia, a situation that European leaders are seeking to address.
The summit, scheduled for Sunday, will include leaders from France, Germany, Poland, as well as the heads of the European Commission and the European Council, alongside NATO's secretary-general.
Meanwhile, a special European Commission defense package is expected to be announced on 6 March.
Simultaneously, military tensions persist in Ukraine, with reports indicating a drone attack on Kharkiv resulting in injuries to seven individuals, including patients at a medical facility that was hit.
The Ukrainian state emergency service reported evacuating 64 individuals from the facility due to the fire caused by the attack.
The Russian defense ministry claimed to have intercepted and destroyed 48 Ukrainian drones in response to ongoing combat operations.
This meeting follows Zelensky's recent discussions with US President Donald Trump, which reportedly ended in a disagreement.
During the visit, Zelensky and Starmer signed a £2.26 billion loan agreement directed towards Ukrainian military supplies.
This funding is structured to be repaid using profits from Russian assets that have been frozen since the onset of the war.
Prime Minister Starmer is scheduled to host a summit of European leaders focused on strategies to address the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, alongside discussions regarding broader European defense initiatives.
Zelensky is also set to meet King Charles III during his visit.
Starmer's meetings with Zelensky come at a crucial moment, particularly following diplomatic tensions arising from Zelensky's interaction with Trump, with whom Starmer had a cordial meeting just a day prior to Zelensky's arrival.
Some members of the Scottish National Party (SNP) have urged Starmer to reconsider the invitation extended to Trump for a second state visit, especially after the contentious White House meeting.
In his remarks to Zelensky, Starmer noted the public support for Ukraine evident during the visit, stating, 'That is the people of the United Kingdom coming out to demonstrate how much they support you, how much they support Ukraine.' In response, Zelensky expressed gratitude for the UK's extensive support, highlighting the significance of the recently negotiated loan.
Zelensky remarked, 'This is true justice - the one who started the war must be the one to pay,' emphasizing the use of the loan proceeds for weapon production within Ukraine.
The meeting was a pivotal opportunity for Starmer to showcase ongoing UK support for Zelensky following the fallout with Trump.
Zelensky, in a subsequent statement, acknowledged the complexities of US-Ukraine relations, asserting that mutual honesty is necessary for understanding common objectives.
The forthcoming European summit will feature discussions on enhancing Europe’s defense capabilities, particularly in light of the US's perceived retreat from European military involvement.
The Trump administration has been criticized for marginalizing European allies in preliminary negotiations with Russia, a situation that European leaders are seeking to address.
The summit, scheduled for Sunday, will include leaders from France, Germany, Poland, as well as the heads of the European Commission and the European Council, alongside NATO's secretary-general.
Meanwhile, a special European Commission defense package is expected to be announced on 6 March.
Simultaneously, military tensions persist in Ukraine, with reports indicating a drone attack on Kharkiv resulting in injuries to seven individuals, including patients at a medical facility that was hit.
The Ukrainian state emergency service reported evacuating 64 individuals from the facility due to the fire caused by the attack.
The Russian defense ministry claimed to have intercepted and destroyed 48 Ukrainian drones in response to ongoing combat operations.
