UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has pledged the full and unwavering support of his nation to Ukraine’s defense following a falling out between Ukrainian and U.S. leadership.
Starmer met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy with a hug in on March 1, and Zelenskyy’s arrival was met by shouts of support from crowds who gathered outside Starmer’s official residence.
“As you heard from the cheers on the street outside, you have full backing across the United Kingdom,” Starmer told Zelesnkyy. “We stand with you, with Ukraine, for as long as it may take.”
Zelenskyy’s meeting with Starmer appeared opposite in nearly every way from the Ukrainian leader’s meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump just the day before.
At the White House on Friday, Trump and Vice President JD Vance chided Zelenskyy for not saying “thank you” enough for American support. Trump then suggested Zelenskyy wasn’t ready to make a peace deal.
National leaders throughout Europe and the Pacific have since rallied around Ukraine, issuing calls for more aid and support to Kyiv, furthering the diplomatic divide between the Trump administration and America’s long-time allies.
Zelenskyy, who thanked Starmer and the people of the UK for their support and friendship, will also meet with King Charles III on Sunday before attending a summit with European leaders.
That summit will include leadership from Czechia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Spain, Sweden, and Turkey, as well as the NATO secretary-general and the presidents of the European Commission and European Council.
The leaders are expected to chart a course forward for continuing the defense of Ukraine after being sidelined by the Trump administration last month. At that time, U.S. officials sought to begin cease-fire negotiations with Moscow directly without consulting leadership from Ukraine or any other European power.
Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala told reporters on Saturday that “Europe faces a historic test,” and will have to create a way of defending itself without being able to rely on the United States.
“If we don’t increase our effort fast enough and let the aggressor dictate its conditions, we won’t end up well,” he said.
Likewise, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said that Trump and Vance’s treatment of Zelenskyy had ushered in “a new era of ruthlessness” and that Europe would need to further increase its commitments to Ukraine.
“Many of you will have slept fitfully tonight in the face of the unspeakable videos from the White House,” Baerbock told reporters Saturday.
“Our horror is greater today than before, but so is our commitment to the people of Ukraine, to our own security, and to peace in Europe,” she added.
The UK had already made a full-throated pledge to commit more resources to Ukraine’s defense.
“I do not say that lightly,” Starmer said.. “I feel very deeply the responsibility that comes with potentially putting British servicemen and women in harm’s way.”
