'We stand with Ukraine' — Starmer reaffirms support for Ukraine during meeting with Zelensky

U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer reiterated his support for Ukraine during a meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky on March 1.

Starmer's comments come one day after a heated exchange between Zelensky and U.S. President Donald Trump in the White House that further exposed rifts in relations between Europe and the United States.

Zelensky left Washington early without signing a mineral deal with the United States after Trump reportedly ordered his officials to tell the Ukrainian delegation to leave the White House, despite protest from the Ukrainians.

"We stand with Ukraine for as long as it may take," Starmer told reporters at a press briefing alongside Zelensky, adding that Ukraine has "full backing across the United Kingdom."

Starmer also emphasized the U.K.'s "unwavering determination" to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.

Zelensky thanked Starmer for his country's staunch support. "We are happy to have such partners and such friends," Zelensky said.

The meeting with Starmer comes one day ahead of a summit with European leaders hosted by U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer to discuss joint defense and security plans.

Following the exchange, a number of European leaders on Feb. 28 reaffirmed their support for Ukraine and Zelensky.

EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas emphasized the EU's commitment to stepping up assistance to Ukraine, enabling the country to continue resisting the aggressor.

"Today, it became clear that the free world needs a new leader. It's up to us, Europeans, to take this challenge," Kallas posted on X.

Zelensky arrived at 10 Downing Street earlier in the day to cheers from the crowd while exiting his motorcade. The president did not respond to shouted questions on Trump as he was greeted by Starmer.

Buckingham Palace confirmed that Zelensky is set to meet King Charles on March 2. The meeting comes days after King Charles invited Trump for a second state visit to Buckingham Palace. Trump previously visit Queen Elizabeth II in 2019 during his first term in office.

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An astounding political encounter played out in front of the world on Feb. 28, as a highly-anticipated meeting between Presidents Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. President Donald Trump descended into a verbal brawl, the cancelling of a mineral deal and — reportedly — Zelensky’s unceremonious eviction fr…

The Kyiv IndependentChris York