British Prime Minister Keir Starmer extended a warm welcome to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Saturday, in stark contrast to the tense and acrimonious meeting the latter had with United States President Donald Trump a day earlier.
Zelenskyy, who was received with cheers outside 10 Downing Street, expressed gratitude for the "tremendous support" extended by the United Kingdom since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine three years ago.
Starmer, reiterating Britain’s unwavering stance, assured, "We stand with you and Ukraine for as long as it may take."
The meeting also saw the signing of a landmark financial agreement, as Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Ukrainian Finance Minister Sergii Marchenko formalised a £2.26 billion loan deal to bolster Ukraine’s military capabilities.
The funds, according to the British government, will be repaid through profits derived from sanctioned Russian sovereign assets. The first tranche of the loan is expected to be disbursed within the coming week.
Zelenskyy is scheduled to meet King Charles III on Sunday at the Sandringham estate, marking further consolidation of Britain’s backing for Ukraine.
"I'm very happy that His Majesty the King accepted my meeting tomorrow," the Ukrainian leader told Starmer.
The British monarch has previously commended the "determination and strength" of the Ukrainian people in resisting Russian aggression.
Fallout from White House meeting
The London meeting came in the aftermath of a contentious exchange between Zelenskyy and Trump in Washington on Friday.
Trump, during a meeting at the White House, accused Zelenskyy of being "disrespectful" towards the United States and threatened to withdraw American support.
The situation escalated to the extent that the Ukrainian leader was reportedly asked to leave the White House without signing a minerals agreement aimed at strengthening economic and defence ties between Kyiv and Washington.
Trump’s remarks and his decision to halt the minerals deal sparked widespread European concern.
Several European leaders voiced solidarity with Zelenskyy and Ukraine, highlighting a growing divide between the United States and its traditional allies over the war.
Zelenskyy, responding to Trump’s comments, maintained that US support remains crucial in Ukraine’s defence against Russia but emphasised that Kyiv would not endorse any American-led peace deal that lacks security guarantees.
"We are very happy in Ukraine that we have such friends. I thank the people of the United Kingdom for such a big support from the very beginning of this war," he remarked.
European leaders are set to convene for a crucial summit on Sunday to discuss prospects for a Ukraine peace plan.
Also read: Trump-Zelenskyy White House clash: What went down? Watch
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