Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy navigated a tumultuous political landscape last week, marked by an extraordinary meeting in the Oval Office with former President Donald Trump. The meeting, which took place on Friday, was overshadowed by Trump's threats to withdraw US support for Ukraine amidst ongoing tensions with Russia, which invaded Ukraine three years ago. This encounter elicited reactions from senior Russian politicians, who expressed satisfaction at what they perceived as Zelenskyy's humiliation.
In the wake of his contentious meeting with Trump, Zelenskyy flew to the United Kingdom, where he engaged in "important and warm" discussions with Labour leader Keir Starmer on Saturday. Their talks focused on strengthening Ukraine's position and securing reliable security guarantees in the face of continued aggression from Russia. Starmer reassured Zelenskyy of the UK's unwavering support, stating, "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."
The contrast between his US experience and the reception in the UK was stark. As Zelenskyy arrived at Downing Street, he was met with cheers from a supportive crowd. British Prime Minister Starmer greeted him with a warm embrace, reinforcing the strong ties between the two nations.
Zelenskyy's visit to the UK follows his dialogue with both Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday. Macron called for calm during these discussions and emphasized the need for a coordinated approach to address the challenges facing Ukraine and Europe as a whole.
In his statement following the talks, Zelenskyy highlighted the importance of collaboration with international partners. He said, "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."
As part of his UK itinerary, Zelenskyy is scheduled to meet with King Charles on Sunday before attending a summit with European leaders later in the day. The summit will focus on discussing a peace plan for Ukraine, a critical step as the nation continues to face mounting pressures.