UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has reaffirmed the United Kingdom's strong support for Ukraine by signing a loan agreement worth 2.26 billion British pounds ($2.84 billion, €2.74 billion). This substantial support is aimed at enhancing Ukraine's defense capabilities amidst ongoing conflicts.
In a heartwarming display of solidarity, Starmer greeted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy with a warm embrace upon his arrival in London. Their meeting at Downing Street underscored the UK's unwavering commitment to Ukraine, with Starmer emphasizing that Ukraine has \"full backing across the United Kingdom.\" He also highlighted Britain’s \"unwavering determination\" to achieve lasting peace in the region.
The loan, according to Ukrainian Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko, will be repaid using profits from immobilized sovereign Russian assets. Zelenskyy, Starmer, and UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves discussed the details further during a video call with Marchenko on Saturday evening.
Zelenskyy expressed his gratitude for the UK's support, describing the meeting with Starmer as \"meaningful and warm.\" He confirmed on the social media platform X that the funds from the loan will be directed towards weapons production in Ukraine, thereby bolstering the nation’s defense infrastructure.
The Ukrainian president's visit to the UK coincides with a defense summit hosted by Britain, where European leaders are set to convene in London on Sunday to discuss a comprehensive peace plan for Ukraine. Starmer has indicated that he believes the United States will need to be involved for the deal to be successful.
Prior to his arrival in London, Zelenskyy had a contentious meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House. The encounter turned heated after U.S. Vice President JD Vance demanded that Zelenskyy show gratitude for Trump’s efforts to resolve the conflict with Russia. This led to Zelenskyy being asked to leave the White House early, leaving a planned minerals deal unsigned.
Despite the earlier clash, Zelenskyy remains optimistic about future agreements. Before landing in London on Saturday, he tweeted that Ukraine is \"ready to sign the minerals agreement\" with the U.S., but cautioned that \"a ceasefire without security guarantees is dangerous for Ukraine.\" In a subsequent interview with Fox News, Zelenskyy affirmed his respect for Trump and the American people but stated that he does not believe he owes an apology.
\"I think that we have to be very open and very honest, and I'm not sure that we did something bad,\" Zelenskyy stated.
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UK PM reaffirms support for Zelenskyy, signs $2.84b loan deal
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