British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer greets Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky outside 10 Downing Street, London, UK, 10 October 2024. Photo: EPA-EFE/TOLGA AKMEN
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky arrived in London on Saturday ahead of a summit on European support for Ukraine on Sunday that has taken on a new significance following his extraordinary confrontation with US President Donald Trump at the White House on Friday.
Writing on X upon his arrival at London’s Stansted Airport, Zelensky said that, despite “tough dialogue” with Trump, he and the Ukrainian people were grateful to the US for its “vital” support for the country in its three-year attempt to resist a Russian invasion — but hoped that Washington would “stand more firmly” on Ukraine’s side in any negotiations to end the war.
“The US has always spoken about ‘peace through strength.’ And together we can take strong steps against Putin”, Zelensky said.
Zelensky is set to meet with British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer on Saturday afternoon to discuss UK aid for Ukraine before attending the summit on Sunday.
Organised by Starmer, Sunday’s summit will bring together representatives from over a dozen European countries as well as NATO to “drive forward European action on Ukraine”, Downing Street said in a statement, adding that by “strengthening Ukraine's position now” Europe could signal its support for a lasting deal “that ensures Ukraine's future sovereignty and security”.
Starmer spoke with both Zelensky and Trump in the hours after the two clashed at the White House on Friday, with Downing Street saying that he was “doing all he can to find a path forward to a lasting peace” for Ukraine in light of the growing rift between Europe and the US on what would constitute a fair end to the war.
But in a sign that European unity may face its own challenges, Sky News reported on Friday that the leaders of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia were “very unhappy” that, despite their consistent support for Ukraine since Russia launched its invasion three years ago, they had only been offered phone calls with Starmer on Saturday rather than an invitation to attend Sunday’s summit in person.
