Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer, left, greets Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky in Downing Street, London, on March 1.Kin Cheung/The Associated Press
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has offered his unwavering support for Ukraine as he prepares to host a gathering of leaders from more than a dozen countries to discuss a “just and lasting peace in Ukraine.”
Mr. Starmer’s unlikely bond with U.S. President Donald Trump has made the prime minister something of a bridge between Mr. Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, whose relationship has deteriorated after a fiery meeting at the White House on Friday.
On Saturday, Mr. Starmer welcomed Mr. Zelensky to Downing Street and embraced him in a show of support for the President. King Charles has also invited the Ukrainian President to the royal estate in Sandringham, Norfolk, on Sunday.
“Let me just say that you’re very, very welcome here in Downing Street,” Mr. Starmer told Mr. Zelensky. “And as you heard from the cheers on the street outside, you have full backing across the United Kingdom, and we stand with you, with Ukraine, for as long as it may take.”
Mr. Starmer expressed his “unwavering determination to achieve what we both want to achieve, which is a lasting peace.”
The warm greeting in Britain contrasted sharply with the Mr. Trump’s berating of Mr. Zelensky on Friday for not being appreciative enough of U.S. support for Ukraine.
A meeting among U.S. President Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. Vice-President JD Vance in the Oval Office turned into a heated argument.
The Globe and Mail
“You’re gambling with World War III,” Mr. Trump snapped at one point and added; “And what you’re doing is very disrespectful to the country, this country, that’s backed you far more than a lot of people say they should have.”
Mr. Zelensky tried to respond but was repeatedly interrupted by Mr. Trump and Vice-President JD Vance. He was abruptly shuffled out of the White House without signing a mineral agreement between Ukraine and the U.S. “He can come back when he is ready for Peace,” Mr. Trump later wrote on social media.
Ukrainians rally around Zelensky as defender of national interest after Oval Office blowout
Only a day earlier, Mr. Starmer and Mr. Trump shared pleasantries during a lengthy meeting in the Oval Office that ended with both men agreeing on nearly every issue. That meeting was so convivial Mr. Starmer handed Mr. Trump an invitation from the King for a state visit and the president expressed confidence that a peace deal to end Ukraine’s war with Russia would be struck.
Mr. Starmer spoke to both Mr. Zelensky and Mr. Trump by phone after Friday’s debacle, in what Downing Street officials said was an effort to keep the peace initiative on track.
On Sunday, he’ll try to keep the Western alliance united when he hosts a defence summit on Ukraine with leaders from 16 countries including Mr. Zelensky. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is attending along with French President Emmanuel Macron and outgoing German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Turkey’s foreign minister is also expected to be there as well as NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte.
The summit will focus on continued military support for Ukraine as well as increased economic pressure on Russia. The leaders will also discuss the need for a peace deal that includes security guarantees to ensure Ukraine can deter any future Russian attack.
Mr. Starmer is expected to urge European leaders to play a role in providing security guarantees for any peace deal.
The U.K. and France have offered to send troops to Ukraine as part of a peacekeeping force. Britain has also announced plans to increase its military spending from 2.3 per cent of gross domestic product to 2.5 per cent by 2027 and to 3 per cent within the next decade. Mr. Starmer has urged other European countries to follow suit.
Mr. Zelensky spent much of Saturday trying to repair the damage from Friday’s tumultuous meeting with Mr. Trump. He issued a lengthy statement expressing his gratitude to the U.S. for its support and thanking Mr. Trump for backing Ukraine.
“America’s help has been vital in helping us survive, and I want to acknowledge that,” he said. “Despite the tough dialogue, we remain strategic partners. But we need to be honest and direct with each other to truly understand our shared goals.”
Mr. Zelensky added that he wanted the U.S. “to stand more firmly on our side” and he said a ceasefire without security guarantees wouldn’t work. Russian President Vladimir Putin “has broken ceasefires 25 times over the last ten years. A real peace is the only solution,” he said.
Mr. Trump’s tirade has been welcomed by many Republican lawmakers including Senator Lindsey Graham, a long-time supporter of Ukraine. Mr. Graham said Mr. Zelensky should apologize for his conduct and added; “Zelensky is either going to have to fundamentally change or go.”
Several European leaders reacted with horror at Friday’s meeting and rushed to Mr. Zelensky’s defense.
“You are not alone,” said Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
In Paris, the Eiffel Tower was lit up in the blue and yellow of the Ukrainian flag on Friday. “There is an aggressor: Russia. There is a victim: Ukraine. We were right to help Ukraine and sanction Russia three years ago - and to keep doing so,” said Mr. Macron. “If anyone is gambling with World War III, his name is Vladimir Putin.”
Mr. Trudeau also offered his backing of Mr. Zelensky and said Canada “will continue to stand with Ukraine.”
“For three years now, Ukrainians have fought with courage and resilience. Their fight for democracy, freedom, and sovereignty is a fight that matters to us all,” Mr. Trudeau wrote on X.
However, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban voiced his support for Mr. Trump and called on the European Union to open direct talks with Russia. “Strong men make peace, weak men make war. Today President @realDonaldTrump stood bravely for peace. Even if it was difficult for many to digest,” he wrote on X.