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On Saturday, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer rolled out the welcome mat at Downing Street for Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelensky, wrapping him in a hearty embrace—just 24 hours after the Ukrainian chief’s bruising dust-up with U.S. President Donald Trump.
A crowd of backers roared their approval as Zelensky’s motorcade cruised into the iconic London hub, where Starmer greeted him with open arms, the two leaders flashing smiles for the cameras before ducking into the PM’s residence for a high-stakes powwow.
“You’re very, very welcome here in Downing Street,” Starmer told Zelensky.
“And as you’ve heard from the cheers street outside, you have full backing across the United Kingdom, and we stand with you with Ukraine for as long as it may take.”
Starmer said both leaders wanted to achieve “a lasting peace for Ukraine, based on sovereignty and security for Ukraine — so important for Europe and so important for the United Kingdom”.
Zelensky responded that had seen the hundreds of supporters gathered outside Downing Street.
Read also: Russia-Ukraine War: Starmer Assures Zelensky Of UK’s Full Backing
“I want to thank you, the people of the United Kingdom, for such big support from the very beginning of this war,” he added.
“I’m very happy that his majesty the king accepted my meeting tomorrow and we are very happy in Ukraine that we have such a strategic partner.
“We count on your support.”
After a 75-minute heart-to-heart behind closed doors, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Zelensky shared a quick hug—then Starmer whisked him off in a car, sealing a moment of camaraderie amid the storm.
