Sir Keir Starmer has a £2.26billion weapons package to Ukraine following his “meaningful and warm” meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky.
Sir Keir told the Ukrainian president he has “full backing across the United Kingdom” as the men met at No 10. Mr Zelensky told the prime minister “we count on your support”.
The Ukrainian president’s meeting comes a day after his explosive White House clash with US president Donald Trump.
In contrast with the terse exchange in the Oval Office, the meeting between Sir Keir and the Ukrainian president appeared warm.
Mr Zelensky hailed a "meaningful and warm meeting" with Sir Keir Starmer. He said the UK and Ukraine signed a loan agreement to enhance Ukraine’s defense capabilities, with repayment coming from revenues from frozen Russian assets that will fund weapons production in Ukraine.
Ukraine’s finance minister said the loan was valued at £2.26bn.
Mr Zelensky will also meet with King Charles on Sunday ahead of a defence summit with European leaders in London.
The US president claimed Mr Zelensky was “gambling with World War Three” in a series of heated exchanges on Friday which were broadcast around the world.
Key Points
- Starmer: Ukraine has full backing of the UK
- Macron speaks to Zelensky, Starmer and Trump
- Zelensky: A meaningful and warm meeting with Starmer
- Zelensky to meet King Charles tomorrow
- UK to loan Ukraine £2.26bn to boost defence
At least 5 killed and dozens injured across Ukraine over last day
06:00
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Vishwam Sankaran
Russian attacks across Ukraine have killed at least five civilians and injured over 25 in the last day, regional authorities say.
The overnight attacks on Friday were mainly carried out using drones, Ukraine's air force said.
The Ukrainian Air Force said Russia launched 154 drones from the directions of Russian towns Oryol, Kursk, Bryansk, and Millerovo.
Over 100 drones were shot down over the course of day, according to the air force.
Another 50 drones were "lost" likely due to Ukrainian electronic warfare (EW) interference, it said.
Four people were killed and six injured in Donetsk Oblast, and one man was killed in Odesa, the regions' governors said.
Ukraine said the drones also damaged houses and civilian infrastructure in Chernihiv, Odesa, and Cherkasy oblasts and Kyiv and Kharkiv cities.
Russian forces continued operations in Kursk Oblast yesterday but did not make confirmed advances, according to the Washington-based think tank the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
Russian troops also continued ground attacks northeast of Kharkiv City, but did not make any confirmed progress, ISW said.
Vance confronted Zelensky after finding his demeanour 'provocative' – report
05:45
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Vishwam Sankaran
Sources claim US vice president JD Vance did not have a pre-determined strategy to confront the Ukrainian president during the intense 45-minute exchange at the Oval Office on Friday.
The conversation took a heated turn as Mr Vance asserted that "America engaging in diplomacy" was the way forward to peace and prosperity in Ukraine.
Mr Zelensky then took permission to address the US vice president directly, highlighting that all attempts by Ukraine for diplomatic agreements with Russia were violated.
"What kind of diplomacy, JD [Vance], you are speaking about ?," Zelensky asked.
Mr Vance immediately shot back that it was "disrespectful" for the Ukrainian president to "come to the Oval Office to try to litigate this in front of the American media".
The US vice president felt compelled to confront Mr Zelensky after finding his demeanour needlessly provocative, NBC News reported, citing a source familiar with the planning of the meeting.
Trump administration seeks public apology from Zelensky to fix ties – report
05:30
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Vishwam Sankaran
The Trump administration is reportedly seeking a public apology from the Ukrainian president following Friday's heated exchange at the Oval Office.
Following the diplomatic clash at the White House, Fox News host Bret Baier pressed Mr Zelensky on whether he thought he owed the US president an apology.
“No,” the Ukrainian president responded.
“I respect president. And I respect American people. And if – I don’t know if – I think that we have to be very open and very honest. And I’m not sure that we did something bad," he said.
Mr Zelensky is now under pressure from the US to apologise for questioning the value of a ceasefire with Vladimir Putin, Bloomberg News reported, citing European officials privy to the matter.
Can withstand Russia even if US stops aid, Ukrainian MP says
05:15
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Vishwam Sankaran
Ukrainian MP Vadym Halaichuk said the country can withstand Russia's onslaught even if the US stops sending monetary and military aid to Kyiv.
Even if the supplies from the US dropped, it "will not mean that we are incapable of getting supplies from some other countries," Mr Halaichuk said.
He also stressed Kyiv's focus on self-sufficiency in manufacturing drones and weapons.
"A year before, we had a pretty sad experience of a certain break in supplies from the US for six months. There were no deliveries, and that affected Ukraine's ability to withstand Russian pressure on the frontlines. It also caused us to be more serious and independent in terms of weapon supplies to have a greater variety of those supplies," the MP told Indian news agency ANI.
Discussions planned at Starmer's Sunday summit
05:00
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Vishwam Sankaran
The leaders of France, Germany, Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain, Canada, Finland, Sweden, Czechia and Romania will join UK prime minister Sir Keir Starmer and Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday for a summit on Ukraine.
Representatives from Turkey, Nato and the EU will also be present at the summit to discuss strong security guarantees, ongoing military support to Ukraine, as well as measures to put increased economic pressure on Russia.
The leaders will also discuss the need for a strong lasting deal for peace in Ukraine to help Kyiv deter and defend against any future Russian attack, the prime minister's office said in a statement.
"In partnership with our allies, we must intensify our preparations for the European element of security guarantees, alongside continued discussions with the US," Mr Starmer said.
"Now is the time for us to unite in order to guarantee the best outcome for Ukraine, protect European security, and secure our collective future," he said.
Russia could be launching new narrative 'claiming victory', analysts say
04:45
,
Vishwam Sankaran
Ukraine's military intelligence directorate warned that Russia is preparing to declare "victory" over Ukraine with the Kremlin ordering its state-sponsored media personalities to propagate narratives to discredit Kyiv among Western allies.
This strategy of depicting an inevitable Russian victory over Ukraine is aimed at deterring further Western military assistance, analysts say.
Karin Kneissl, former Austrian foreign minister and current head of Russian think tank GORKI, said in an interview with TASS yesterday that "Russia has won in the sense that it was not defeated".
"The [Russian] population supports the government" and "no one expected Russia to be so stable" after years of war, the think tank head said.
Cutting aid could prevent Trump's own aim of achieving peace: ISW
04:30
,
Vishwam Sankaran
The Washington Post has reported – citing senior Trump administration officials – that the US may cut all aid to Ukraine.
However, doing so may undermine the US president’s stated goal of achieving sustainable peace in Ukraine and encourage Russian president Vladimir Putin to continue increasing his demands and get him closer to total victory through war, analysts say.
The Washington-based think tank Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said that without continued and timely Western military assistance to Ukraine, Russia could seize more territory in Ukraine and may exhaust European support.
It could also strengthen Putin's belief he can seize and control other former Soviet countries, including current Nato member states, the ISW warned.
Watch | Starmer's reassuring words to Zelensky after Trump-Vance clash
04:15
,
Jabed Ahmed
Comment | Zelensky has laid bare the ugly truth about Trump, the Godfather President
04:00
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Jabed Ahmed
The world owes the Ukrainian president a favour for showing us the true face of the pair of American gangsters who are waging war on truth and democracy, says Simon Walters
Dispatch | Inside Ukraine’s secretive hacker group helping track down children abducted by Russia in Putin’s war
03:45
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Jabed Ahmed
How reliant is Ukraine on US weapons as Trump threatens to withdraw support after Zelensky clash?
03:30
,
Jabed Ahmed
Italy pledges $13m to restore Ukraine's energy sector
03:15
,
Vishwam Sankaran
Italy has signed a deal with Ukraine to provide Kyiv £13m for restoring its energy infrastructure amid Russia's invasion.
The $13.5m will be directed towards Kyiv's Energy Support Fund, according to Ukraine's Energy Ministry.
Losses from Russia's attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure have amounted to "billions of dollars," according to the ministry.
Russia continues to target critical energy infrastructure in Ukraine with over 30 such strikes conducted in the last three years, Ukrainian energy minister Herman Halushchenko said.
Some of the key Ukrainian energy sites occupied by Russia include hydroelectric power plants, thermal power plants as well Europe's largest Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.
Italy's assistance will allow Ukraine "to procure essential equipment and strengthen the resilience of Ukraine’s energy system at a time when the enemy is relentlessly attacking energy facilities," the country's deputy energy minister Roman Andarak said.
Rally for Ukraine at Downing Street on Sunday
03:00
,
Jabed Ahmed
There is a planned rally in support of Ukraine at Downing Street on Sunday.
The organisers plan the rally from 2pm tomorrow.
On Saturday, a group of pro-Ukrainian demonstrators could be seen outside the gates of the street, and were heard to cheer as Mr Zelensky’s convoy drove by.
UK must move quickly to support Ukraine, says trade envoy to Kyiv
02:45
,
Jabed Ahmed
The British trade envoy to Ukraine has said the UK must “move as quickly as possible” to support Kyiv in its fight against Russia.
Labour MP Alex Sobel, who has just returned from a trip to Ukraine, tells The Independent that Kyiv’s supporters must push for the roughly £239 billion in Russian assets frozen in Europe to be sent to Ukraine to help them continue the fight.
Former prime minister Rishi Sunak published a piece in The Economist yesterday endorsing the same principle, which would require European legislation.
“‘Having just come back from Ukraine and meeting soldiers back from the frontline and seeing the level of reconstruction needed even now it's clear that the odds are stacked against the Ukrainian people,” Mr Sobel says.
“It's imperative we move as quickly as possible to legislate to mobilise frozen Russian assets for Ukraine. It’s right the aggressor pays for the unbelievable damage they have caused.”
Analysis | Starmer’s heavily staged Zelensky meet and greet was a diplomatic show of strength
02:30
,
Millie Cooke, Political Correspondent
Sir Keir Starmer has always made his backing of Ukraine clear. But as he walks a diplomatic tightrope between Europe, Ukraine and Donald Trump’s erratic behaviour, there were question marks over what his next move would be following Friday’s catastrophic clash between Zelensky and the US president.
While he has avoided calling out Donald Trump directly, today’s meet and greet with Volodymyr Zelensky on Downing Street spoke volumes.
The prime minister walked almost half way down the street to meet the Ukrainian president, before hugging him and walking him back up the street to the front door of No 10.
One of the most heavily staged Downing Street welcomes in recent history, the visuals were striking – and it was nothing short of a show of strength from the PM.
Donald Trump’s new world disorder is a threat to European security
02:00
,
Jabed Ahmed
America is strong enough to survive abandoning its old allies – but if the irascible president follows through on his Oval Office warning and switches off aid to Ukraine, there will be a heavy price to pay by the entire continent, says Mark Almond
Who is expected to be at the security meeting on Sunday?
01:30
,
Jabed Ahmed
Sir Keir Starmer has invited European leaders to London tomorrow for a defence summit.
Leaders from France, Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain, Turkey, Finland, Sweden, the Czech Republic and Romania have all been invited.
The presidents of the European Council, European Commission and Nato Secretary General have also been invited.
Watch | Trump shouts over Zelensky as critical Ukraine meeting erupts
01:00
,
Jabed Ahmed
Below, we remind you of the astonishing confrontation between US president Donald Trump, his vice president JD Vance and the Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky.
The spat, in which Mr Zelensky was insulted and abused by two figures with little regard for facts before being told to say “thank you” for American support, has caused havoc across Europe.
JD Vance is emerging as the real power in White House – he could be worse for Europe than Trump
Saturday 1 March 2025 23:59
,
Jabed Ahmed
Pictured | Starmer, Zelensky and Reeves sign £2.26bn loan to Ukraine
Saturday 1 March 2025 23:26
,
Jabed Ahmed
Volodymyr Zelensky greeted with warm hug from Keir Starmer outside Downing Street after Donald Trump showdown
Saturday 1 March 2025 23:00
,
Jabed Ahmed
Saturday 1 March 2025 22:49
,
Jabed Ahmed
Starmer urged to focus on restoring size of British Army in defence boost
Saturday 1 March 2025 22:32
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Jabed Ahmed
Sir Keir Starmer has faced calls to make reversing troop cuts in the British Army the focus of his plans to increase defence spending.
The Liberal Democrats said the Army should be restored to a total of 82,000 troops, after a cut by the Conservative government in 2021 reduced its size to 72,500.
The restoration of the Army’s size should be made in step with the commitment to boost defence spending to 2.5% of the UK’s economic output by 2027, the Lib Dems said.
The Prime Minister will pay for the defence spending increase by cutting the international aid budget.
Sir Keir has pledged to deploy British troops in Ukraine as part of peacekeeping efforts in the event an agreement to end the war is struck.
However, the Lib Dems warned that the current size of the Army could mean there is only capacity to send one combat division to Ukraine as part of the proposals.
The Independent View | Europe must ensure Mr Zelensky can negotiate peace from a position of strength
Saturday 1 March 2025 22:00
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Jabed Ahmed
Editorial: Never before has the ‘leader of the free world’ told a brave nation fighting for its survival that it would be better if it gave up. Donald Trump must not succeed in pushing the Ukrainian people to surrender
UK to loan Ukraine £2.26bn to boost defence
Saturday 1 March 2025 21:43
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Jabed Ahmed
The UK and Ukraine have agreed a £2.26bn loan to support Ukraine's defence capabilities, the Ukrainian finance minister has said.
Serhiy Marchenko said Sir Keir Starmer, Volodymyr Zelensky, and Rachel Reeves held a video call with Mr Marchenko this evening.
Marchenko wrote on X that the funds are "ensured by frozen Russian assets".
He added that he was "grateful" to the UK for "holding the aggressor accountable for the war".
King Charles shows solidarity with Zelensky in invite to Sandringham after Trump clash
Saturday 1 March 2025 21:26
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Jabed Ahmed
Zelensky: A meaningful and warm meeting with Starmer
Saturday 1 March 2025 21:12
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Jabed Ahmed
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has said he had a “meaningful and warm” meeting with Sir Keir Starmer.
Writing on X, Mr Zelensky said: “During our talks, we discussed the challenges facing Ukraine and all of Europe, coordination with partners, concrete steps to strengthen Ukraine’s position, and ending the war with a just peace, along with robust security guarantees.”
He added they signed a loan agreement to enhance Ukraine’s defense capabilities, with repayment coming from revenues from frozen Russian assets that will fund weapons production in Ukraine.
“I thank the people and government of the United Kingdom for their tremendous support from the very beginning of this war,” Mr Zelensky said. ”We are happy to have such strategic partners and to share the same vision of what a secure future should look like for all.”
New IAEA mission arrives at Russian-held Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, Russia says
Saturday 1 March 2025 20:59
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Jabed Ahmed
A new monitoring mission from the UN nuclear watchdog arrived at the Russian-held Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant in southeastern Ukraine, Russia's Rosatom company said, after weeks of delay caused by military activity around the site.
Russian news agencies quoted Rosatom, the state nuclear power company, as saying the team from the International Atomic Energy Agency arrived at the station by travelling for the first time strictly through Russian-held territory.
"The rotation of IAEA observers has taken place," the agencies quoted a Rosatom statement as saying. "The 27th team of IAEA observers is made up of three inspectors."
The IAEA rotation had been postponed for nearly a month, with each side blaming the other for violating rules to ensure the team's safe passage to the plant.
Russian troops seized the Zaporizhzhia plant, Europe's largest with six reactors, in the first weeks of their February 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine. It produces no electricity at the moment.
Russia and Ukraine have since routinely accused each other of firing on or near the station and risking a nuclear accident. The IAEA has deployed staff to the plant since September 2022 and is also present at Ukraine's other nuclear plants.
Rafael Grossi, the IAEA's executive director, has repeatedly urged both sides to refrain from any actions posing a risk to the plant.
Keir Starmer reaffirms commitment to ending Russia’s war in meeting with Zelensky
Saturday 1 March 2025 20:42
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Jabed Ahmed
Sir Keir Starmer “restated his determination to finding a path that ends Russia’s illegal war” when he met Volodymyr Zelensky at Downing Street on Saturday, No 10 has said.
Giving a readout of the two leaders’ meeting, a Downing Street spokesperson said: “The Prime Minister welcomed President Zelenskyy to Downing Street this afternoon.
“The Prime Minister reiterated his unwavering support for Ukraine, adding that the UK will always stand with them, for as long as it takes.
“The Prime Minister restated his determination to finding a path that ends Russia’s illegal war and ensures a just and lasting peace that secures Ukraine’s future sovereignty and security.
“The leaders looked forward to continuing these discussions at tomorrow’s leaders’ summit in London.”
France's Macron speaks to Zelensky, Starmer and Trump
Saturday 1 March 2025 20:39
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Jabed Ahmed
French President Emmanuel Macron spoke to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Donald Trump on Saturday, as well as Sir Keir Starmer, European Council President Antonio Costa and NATO chief Mark Rutte, the French Presidency said.
The discussions were part of preparations for a meeting of European leaders on Sunday in London, as well as a special European Union summit on 6 March, it said.
Rep. Jasmine Crockett apologizes to the world after Trump, Vance attack on Zelensky
Saturday 1 March 2025 20:17
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Jabed Ahmed
Keir Starmer’s reassuring words to Volodymyr Zelensky after Donald Trump and JD Vance clash
Saturday 1 March 2025 19:59
Senior Russian politicians back Trump over Zelensky's 'suicide in the White House'
Saturday 1 March 2025 19:39
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Jabed Ahmed
Senior Russian politicians have reacted with glee to what they see as Volodymyr Zelensky's White House humiliation at the hands of Donald Trump, saying the Ukrainian leader got what he deserved and that US military aid to Kyiv must now be cut.
Hardline nationalist TV commentator Vladimir Solovyov on Friday announced a special show devoted to what he called "Zelenskiy's suicide in the White House".
Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev said Zelenskiy, who was accused by Trump and Vice President JD Vance of being disrespectful towards the United States, had received a "solid slap".
"A brutal dressing down in the Oval Office," Medvedev, who is deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council, posted on Telegram.
He said the Ukrainian leader had finally been told the truth to his face that, as he put it, "the Kyiv regime is playing with World War Three." It was not enough though, said Medvedev, saying military aid to Ukraine should now be halted, something Moscow has long pushed for.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said it was a miracle that Trump and Vance had restrained themselves from hitting Zelenskiy during the Oval Office clash.
In a statement on Saturday, Zakharova said Zelenskiy had behaved boorishly during what she said was a total political and diplomatic failure for Kyiv.
It was time, she suggested, for Europe, like Washington, to realise who it was dealing with.
Who is expected to be at the security meeting tomorrow?
Saturday 1 March 2025 19:18
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Jabed Ahmed
Sir Keir Starmer has invited European leaders to London tomorrow for a defence summit.
Leaders from France, Germany, Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain, Turkey, Finland, Sweden, the Czech Republic and Romania have all been invited.
The presidents of the European Council, European Commission and Nato Secretary General have also been invited.
Watch | Marco Rubio says Zelensky's off-camera actions warrant Trump apology
Saturday 1 March 2025 18:59
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Jabed Ahmed
Zelensky leaves Downing Street
Saturday 1 March 2025 18:51
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Jabed Ahmed
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has left Downing Street after a bilateral meeting with Sir Keir Starmer.
The meeting lasted just over an hour.
The pair left together and embraced once again as the Ukrainian president entered his car.
Sir Keir then waved Mr Zelensky’s motorcade goodbye.
Mr Zelensky will meet with King Charles tomorrow before attending a European security summit in London.
Czech prime minister says Europe is being tested
Saturday 1 March 2025 18:39
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Jabed Ahmed
Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala says "Europe faces a historic test" and has to be able to take care of itself. "Nobody else will do it."
Fila said that Europe has to increase its military support for Ukraine and European countries have to increase their arms spending to reach "at least" 3% of GDP.
"If we don't increase our effort fast enough and let the aggressor dictate its conditions, we won't end up well," he said.
Macron ready to discuss nuclear deterrence for Europe
Saturday 1 March 2025 18:17
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Jabed Ahmed
French President Emmanuel Macron has said he is ready to start discussions on nuclear deterrence for Europe, hinting France could help to protect other EU countries, given the security threats posed by Russia.
European leaders will meet in London on Sunday to discuss a peace plan for Ukraine and they will attend a European Union summit on Thursday.
The bloc is grappling with US President Donald Trump's willingness to embrace Russian diplomacy and the implications of an extraordinary clash between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and Trump at the White House on Friday.
Macron told Portuguese TV RTP in an interview he posted on X on Saturday that if Europe wanted to move towards "greater autonomy" in matters of defence and nuclear deterrence, then its leaders should start a discussion about it.
"I am available to open this discussion...if it allows to build a European force," he said. "There has always been a European dimension to France's vital interests within its nuclear doctrine."
Polish President says Ukraine should get back to talks with Trump
Saturday 1 March 2025 18:00
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Jabed Ahmed
Polish president Andrzej Duda said he sees no other power in the world than the US that could stop Russian aggression on Ukraine and that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy should get back to negotiations with the US.
His words follow an extraordinary public spat between Zelenskiy and Donald Trump at the White House over the war with Russia, with the US president threatening to withdraw support for Ukraine.
Analysis | Starmer’s heavily staged Zelensky meet and greet was a diplomatic show of strength
Saturday 1 March 2025 17:58
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Millie Cooke, Political Correspondent
Sir Keir Starmer has always made his backing of Ukraine clear. But as he walks a diplomatic tightrope between Europe, Ukraine and Donald Trump’s erratic behaviour, there were question marks over what his next move would be following Friday’s catastrophic clash between Zelensky and the US president.
While he has avoided calling out Donald Trump directly, today’s meet and greet with Volodymyr Zelensky on Downing Street spoke volumes.
The prime minister walked almost half way down the street to meet the Ukrainian president, before hugging him and walking him back up the street to the front door of No 10.
One of the most heavily staged Downing Street welcomes in recent history, the visuals were striking – and it was nothing short of a show of strength from the PM.
Rally for Ukraine at Downing Street tomorrow
Saturday 1 March 2025 17:56
,
Jabed Ahmed
There is a planned rally in support of Ukraine at Downing Street on Sunday.
The organisers plan the rally from 2pm tomorrow.
Today, a group of pro-Ukrainian demonstrators could be seen outside the gates of the street, and were heard to cheer as Mr Zelensky’s convoy drove by.
Starmer and Zelensky greeting in full
Saturday 1 March 2025 17:48
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Jabed Ahmed
Sir Keir Starmer: "You have full backing across the United Kingdom and we stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes. And I hope you heard some of that cheering in the street. That is the people of the UK coming out to demonstrate how much they support you, how much they support Ukraine, and our absolute determination to stand with you - unwavering determination. And to achieve what we both want to achieve, which is a lasting peace based on sovereignty and security for Ukraine."
Volodymyr Zelensky: "I want to thank you, the people of the United Kingdom for such big support from the very beginning of this war. Thank you and your team. And I am very happy that His Majesty the king accepted my meeting tomorrow, and I'm thankful that you've organised such a great summit tomorrow. We count on your support and we are really happy that we have such great partners and such friends."
Starmer: Ukraine has full backing of the UK
Saturday 1 March 2025 17:41
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Jabed Ahmed
Sir Keir Starmer told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky he has “full backing across the United Kingdom and we stand with Ukraine for as long as it may take” as the men met inside Downing Street.
Mr Zelensky told Sir Keir “we count on your support” and said he was thankful to the UK.
A group of pro-Ukrainian demonstrators could be seen outside the gates of the street, and were heard to cheer as Mr Zelensky’s convoy drove by.
Mr Zelensky wore a black long-sleeved shirt featuring the coat of arms of Ukraine, a golden trident, and black cargo trousers.
He faced criticism in the White House for not wearing a suit when he met US President Donald Trump.
Watch | Starmer embraces Zelensky as Ukraine president arrives at Downing Street after Trump showdown
Saturday 1 March 2025 17:39
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Jabed Ahmed
Hungary's Orban pushes direct Russia talks, opposes EU summit declaration
Saturday 1 March 2025 17:37
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Jabed Ahmed
Hungary's prime minister has urged the European Union to start direct discussions with Russia on a ceasefire in Ukraine and drop plans for a joint declaration at an extraordinary EU summit next week, saying differences in the bloc "cannot be bridged".
Under President Donald Trump, the United States has started talks with Russia on ending its war in Ukraine, but without Kyiv or the EU at the table. Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy clashed in a White House meeting on Friday.
In a letter to European Council President Antonio Costa dated Saturday, first reported by German daily Welt and seen by Reuters, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said of the EU that there were "strategic differences in our approach to Ukraine that cannot be bridged".
The European Council did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
"I am convinced that the European Union - following the example of the United States - should enter into direct discussions with Russia on a ceasefire and sustainable peace in Ukraine," Orban, a Trump ally, said in the letter.
He said this approach could not be reconciled with the draft conclusions for next Thursday's EU summit, set to focus on additional support for Ukraine, European security guarantees and how to pay for European defence needs.
Saturday 1 March 2025 17:35
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Jabed Ahmed
Pictured | Starmer embraces Zelensky as he arrives at Downing Street
Saturday 1 March 2025 17:30
Zelensky arrives at Downing Street
Saturday 1 March 2025 17:26
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Jabed Ahmed
Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has arrived at Downing Street for his meeting with Sir Keir Starmer.
These Republicans loved Trump and Vance’s attack on Zelensky