In a significant development, Ukraine and the UK signed a loan agreement worth £2.26 billion on Saturday to enhance Ukraine’s defence capabilities. This comes a day after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a heated exchange with US President Donald Trump at the White House.
The loan, aimed at bolstering Ukraine’s military capability, will be repaid using profits generated from sanctioned Russian sovereign assets. The agreement was signed by Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Ukrainian Finance Minister Sergii Marchenko, with the first tranche of funding expected to reach Ukraine next week, as reported by India Today.
In stark contrast to the tense atmosphere at the Oval Office, Zelenskyy received a warm welcome from UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer outside his 10 Downing Street residence. During their meeting, described as “warm” by Zelenskyy, he expressed gratitude for the UK’s “tremendous support” for Ukraine since the Russian invasion three years ago. Starmer reiterated the UK’s “unwavering support” for the war-torn nation.
The meeting took place a day before a key summit of European leaders to discuss a Ukraine peace deal plan. Starmer assured Zelenskyy of “full backing across the United Kingdom,” stating, “We stand with you and Ukraine for as long as it may take.”
Zelenskyy arrived at Starmer’s residence to cheers of support from people gathered outside 10 Downing Street. Starmer welcomed him with a hug and ushered him inside. “I hope you heard some of that cheering in the street. That is the people of the United Kingdom coming out to demonstrate how much they support you and our absolute determination to stand with you,” Starmer told Zelenskyy. The Ukrainian President responded, “We are very happy in Ukraine that we have such friends. I thank the people of the United Kingdom for such big support from the very beginning of this war.”
The UK has been a vocal supporter of Ukraine, with King Charles expressing his support for Zelenskyy. The King previously spoke of the “determination and strength” of the Ukrainian people in the face of an unprovoked attack from Russia. Zelenskyy is scheduled to meet King Charles at his Sandringham estate in eastern England, according to The Sun newspaper.
*Zelenskyy’s Oval Office Clash with Trump*
Zelenskyy’s meeting with Starmer was preponed following a fiery encounter with Trump at the Oval Office. During the extraordinary meeting on Friday, Trump threatened to withdraw support for Ukraine and accused Zelenskyy of showing disrespect to the US. The confrontation escalated to the point where Zelenskyy was asked to leave the White House without signing a minerals agreement, which was expected to strengthen economic and defence ties between Kyiv and Washington.
*European Leaders Extend Support for Zelenskyy*
Several European leaders issued messages of support for Zelenskyy and Ukraine after his meeting with Trump, highlighting differences between traditional allies the US and Europe over the war since Trump’s return to office. Zelenskyy emphasized the importance of Trump’s support in their war with Russia and expressed readiness to sign the minerals deal. However, he reiterated that such agreements alone are insufficient and asserted that Ukraine would not back any US-backed peace deal without security guarantees for Kyiv in ending the war with Russia.
Stay tuned for further updates on this evolving story.
