Sir Keir Starmer promised his ‘unwavering support’ for Ukraine, adding that ‘we are at a turning point’ in the war, before an important meeting with world leaders today.
Welcoming the prime minister Volodymyr zelenskyy After Downing Street Saturday, where they signed a new loan agreement for Ukraine The Ukrainian President’s disastrous meeting with Donald Trump at the Oval Office On Friday.
Sir Keir and Mr. Zelenskyy is joined by dozens of leaders in London today for the Summit on Ukraine and Security.
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Sir Keir will start the day by talking to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, before connecting by French President Emmanuel Macron and leaders from countries such as Germany, Denmark, Norway, Poland, Canada, Finland and Romania.
Ursula von der Leyen, president of the EU Commission, Mark Rutte, Secretary General and Turkey, Hakan Fidan, will also attend.
While America is the driving force to mediate a peace agreement with Russia, Sir Keir wants Europe to be ready to lead peace efforts if an agreement is underway.
Sir Keir promised this week to increase the UK’s defensive spending by 2027 to 2.5% of its economic production.
Sir Keir said it was an ‘honor’ to Mr. Zelenskyy in Downing Street. Photo: Lauren Hurley/No 10 Downing Street
In a statement issued before the summit last night, Mr. Keir said: “Three years later of Russia’s cruel invasion of Ukraine, we are at a turning point. Today I will reaffirm my unwavering support for Ukraine and provide my commitment to capacity, training and assistance to Ukraine, and put it in the strongest possible position.
“In partnership with our allies, we need to strengthen our preparations for the European Element of Security Wares, along with continued discussions with the United States.
‘We have the opportunity to gather to ensure a just and lasting peace in Ukraine that ensures their sovereignty and safety.
“Now is the time for us to unite to guarantee the best outcome for Ukraine, protect European safety and ensure our collective future.”
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Zelenskyy’s visit to Downing Street
Sir Keir’s statement came after he was Mr. Zelenskyy welcomed a hug in Downing Street.
The couple spoke briefly before Mr. Zelenskyy waved to reporters and gave up an inch. They then shook hand as they pose for photos outside of number 10.
When they sat inside, Sir Keir told Mr. Zelenskyy said: ‘You have a full support in the UK and we stand with you, with Ukraine, as long as it can last.
“I hope you heard some of the cheering in the street,” he continued, saying that the cheering “our absolute determination to stand with you – unwavering determination – and to achieve what we both want to achieve, which is a lasting peace.”
Mr Zelenskyy gave an inch for the waiting crowd
Photo: Reuters
Mr. Zelenskyy replied that he was ‘happy to be here’.
“I want to thank you, the people of the United Kingdom and the King,” he said and noticed that he would also meet the monarch.
“We rely on your support,” he continued. “We are very pleased that we have such partners and such friends.”
A new loan agreement for Ukraine
Sir Keir and Mr. Zelenskyy both placed on X after their meeting, with the prime minister saying it was an ‘honor’ to welcome the president in Downing Street.
He signed off his post with ‘Slava Ukraini’, which means ‘Glory to Ukraine’.
In a longer post, Mr. Zelenskyy said the few “discuss the challenges facing Ukraine and all of Europe, coordination with partners, concrete steps to strengthen the position of Ukraine and end the war with a just peace, along with strong security guarantees”.
The duo will join the European and EU leaders on Sunday for further discussions. Photo: Lauren Hurley/No 10 Downing Street
He also announced a new loan agreement signed on Saturday by Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Ukraine’s finance minister Sergii Marchenko.
The £ 2.26bn loan will “improve Ukraine’s defensive capabilities” and “refunded with revenue from frozen Russian assets”, Mr Zelenskyy said.
Ms Reeves signed the loan agreement on a video clall with the Minister of Finance of Ukraine: Simon Dawson/No 10 Downing Street
The Treasury said: “The loan shows the UK’s commitment to the Ukrainian defense. A strong Ukraine is essential for British national security.”
After he was Mr. Zelenskyy with number 10 welcomed Sir Keir also spoke to US President Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron in separate telephone calls.
Sky News understands that the discussions were constructive and focused on finding a way forward.
Two completely different meetings in the White House
Both the Ukrainian president and the British Prime Minister visited the White House this week – but the two meetings had many different outcomes.
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Sir Keir on Thursday Mr. Trump won in the Oval Office when he was the US president with A letter from the kingand invite him to the UK for a historic second state visit. But Mr. Zelenskyy’s meeting in the same room – just 24 hours later – descended in a fiery screaming match.
The Ukrainian president traveled to Washington DC to try to make a Russia truce agreement and A possible mineral agreement with the US.
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His first engagement in the White House was a sitting with Mr. Trump and his Vice President JD Vance – who ended with the couple who Mr. Zelenskyy accused him of “disrespectful” and “gambling with World War II”.
He left early and the rest of the day’s commitments, including a news conference, were suddenly canceled.
In a rushing rearrangement with Sir Keir in London, the plane of Mr. Zelenskyy, who is decorated with the Ukrainian flag, touched on Stansted Airport on Saturday morning.
The Ukrainian president is expected to meet the king on his Sandringham estate in Norfolk after attending the summit.
