Starmer calls Trump and Macron after meeting Ukraine’s Zelenskyy
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer welcomes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to 10 Downing Street (Stefan Rousseau/PA)
Keir Starmer spoke with US President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron after welcoming Volodymyr Zelensky to Downing Street.
The calls took place after the Prime Minister insisted Ukraine had “full backing across the United Kingdom” in a No 10 meeting with the country’s president, the PA news agency understands.
Keir Starmer has told Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy that Britain stands with Ukraine “for as long as it may take”.
As the pair met at Downing Street, Mr Zelenskyy told the British prime minister “we count on your support”.
The Prime Minister’s call to Mr Trump comes after the US president’s unprecedented public clash with Mr Zelensky in the White House’s Oval Office.
European leaders will join Mr Starmer and Mr Zelenskyy at No 10 on Sunday for a defence summit.
Britain's King Charles will also meet with the Ukrainian leader on Sunday as part of his visit to Britain.
During the diplomatic blowout broadcast around the world, Mr Trump claimed his Ukrainian counterpart was “gambling with World War Three”.
The Ukrainian leader was also accused of not being thankful enough for US military aid by both the US president and his vice president JD Vance, after he attempted to question some of their claims.
The spat has shaken the foundations of Nato, with European allies rallying to Ukraine’s side, while Mr Trump’s American backers have insisted he was standing up for their country’s interests.
Media reports from the US suggested Mr Trump considered cutting off all aid to Ukraine following their clash.
The Prime Minister’s call with Mr Trump is the second in two days, as he seeks to act as a bridge between Europe and America and keep the transatlantic Nato alliance together.
In contrast with the terse exchange in the Oval Office, the meeting between Mr Starmer and the Ukrainian president appeared warm.
The prime minister, who usually stands at the doorstep of No 10 to meet world leaders, walked towards Mr Zelensky to meet him as he arrived.
They then shared a hug before approaching the famous black door of No 10 together.
A group of pro-Ukrainian demonstrators could be seen outside the gates of the street, and were heard to cheer as Mr Zelenskyy’s convoy drove by.
At the top of their meeting, Mr Starmer said: “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 how much they support Ukraine, and our absolute determination to stand with you, unwavering determination, to achieve what we both want to achieve, which is a lasting peace, a lasting peace for Ukraine, based on sovereignty and security for Ukraine.
“So important for Ukraine, so important for Europe, and so important for the United Kingdom.”
Mr Zelenskyy responded that he saw “a lot of people” outside Downing Street and thanked the United Kingdom for its support.
He added: “And I’m very happy that His Majesty the King accepted my meeting tomorrow, and I’m thankful that you organised such great summit for tomorrow.”
Mr Zelenskyy said he was “very happy in Ukraine that we have such strategic partners”, pointing to the 100-year partnership signed between his nation and the UK.
The Ukrainian leader arrived by plane in Britain on Saturday morning after a series of highly charged exchanges with Mr Trump and his vice president JD Vance on Friday.
Mr Trump claimed his Ukrainian counterpart was “gambling with World War Three” in a series of exchanges broadcast around the world.
The Ukrainian leader was also accused of not being thankful enough for US military aid by both the US president and Mr Vance.
The meeting ended with Mr Zelenskyy reportedly being kicked out of the White House, and plans to sign a deal exchanging Ukrainian mineral rights for American arms were put on ice.
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