Africa News 24 Pretoria Bureau
LONDON, United Kingdom — King Charles and other European leaders have given Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky massive support after his tense meeting with US President Donald Trump. Zelensky received a hero’s welcome in London amidst escalating tensions with the US and European leaders, including the British monarchy, expressed their unwavering support for Ukraine.
British Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, embraced Zelensky on the steps of Downing Street on Saturday before holding high-level discussions about military aid and diplomatic efforts to secure peace with Russia. Starmer reiterated Britain’s steadfast backing for Ukraine, stating, “We stand with Ukraine for as long as it may take,” and adding that the UK remains committed to helping Kyiv secure its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The visit comes on the heels of a heated Oval Office exchange between Zelensky and U.S. President Donald Trump, where the Ukrainian leader faced harsh criticism from the American president. Trump reportedly accused Zelensky of being “disrespectful” and “gambling with World War III,” further straining relations between Kyiv and Washington. Following the clash, Starmer took on a diplomatic role, urging both leaders to resume discussions and finalise agreements, including a potential deal allowing the U.S. to share in Ukraine’s mineral resources.
In a show of support, the UK announced a £2.26 billion ($4.6 billion) military procurement loan to Ukraine, with funding derived from profits generated by frozen Russian assets. The UK has also indicated willingness to deploy troops to Ukraine after a ceasefire is reached, a move Starmer hopes other European nations will follow.
Sunday’s emergency summit in London is set to gather key European figures, including French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. Discussions will focus on sustaining military and financial assistance to Ukraine, as well as strategizing ways to navigate the diplomatic rift with the U.S.
The summit follows statements from European leaders urging Zelensky to re-engage with Trump despite their recent confrontation. Rutte, speaking to the BBC, reminded the Ukrainian president of past U.S. support, particularly Trump’s decision in 2019 to provide Javelin anti-tank missiles to Ukraine, which played a crucial role in repelling Russian forces during the full-scale invasion in 2022. “Without the Javelins in 2022, Ukraine would have been nowhere,” Rutte stated. “We must acknowledge what America has done and work towards ensuring continued support.”
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World leaders support Zelensky after controversial Trump meeting
In a significant show of solidarity, King Charles III is set to meet Zelensky at Sandringham on Sunday, further reinforcing the UK’s commitment to Ukraine’s struggle against Russian aggression. The royal meeting follows King Charles’ decision to extend an invitation to Trump for a second state visit to Britain, underscoring the delicate diplomatic balancing act at play.
Meanwhile, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has called for an urgent international summit between the U.S., the EU, and other Western allies to establish a united front on Ukraine. “Every division in the West makes us weaker and strengthens those who seek to undermine our values and security,” she stated.
As the world watches closely, Sunday’s summit could mark a crucial turning point in Western unity over Ukraine, determining the extent to which Europe can maintain strong backing for Kyiv despite shifting dynamics in Washington. For now, Zelensky finds himself embraced by Europe but facing an uncertain future with one of his most critical allies: the United States.
