Starmer Backs ‘Democratically Elected’ Zelensky After Trump Tirade
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has voiced his support for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky following an outburst from former US President Donald Trump, in which he labelled Mr Zelensky a “dictator.”
Speaking with Mr Zelensky on Wednesday evening, Sir Keir reaffirmed Britain’s commitment to Ukraine, emphasising that it was “perfectly reasonable” for elections to be suspended during wartime, as the UK had done during the Second World War. The call comes as Sir Keir prepares for a crucial diplomatic visit to Washington next week, where he is expected to meet Mr Trump for the first time since his return to the White House.
Trump’s attacks on Zelensky
Mr Trump’s remarks were posted on his TruthSocial platform, where he accused Mr Zelensky of ruling “without elections” and falsely claimed the Ukrainian leader had an approval rating of just 4%. The former president also suggested that Ukraine had instigated the ongoing war with Russia—a statement widely condemned as disinformation.
Responding to Mr Trump’s comments, Mr Zelensky dismissed the claims, stating that the former US president was living in a “disinformation space.” The Ukrainian leader also insisted that his country would not accept any peace deal reached without its direct involvement, a reference to ongoing US-Russia negotiations in Riyadh that excluded Kyiv.
UK politicians condemn Trump’s comments
Sir Keir’s backing of Mr Zelensky was echoed across the British political spectrum. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch called Mr Zelensky “the democratically elected leader of Ukraine who bravely stood up to [Vladimir] Putin’s illegal invasion.”
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey also criticised Mr Trump, stating, “This must be where the line is drawn. The whole political spectrum in the UK should speak with one voice in opposition to Trump’s lies.”
A Downing Street spokesperson confirmed Sir Keir’s unwavering stance, saying: “The Prime Minister spoke to President Zelensky this evening and stressed the need for everyone to work together. He expressed his support for President Zelensky as Ukraine’s democratically elected leader and said that it was perfectly reasonable to suspend elections during wartime, as the UK did during World War Two.”
The wartime suspension of elections
Mr Zelensky was elected as Ukraine’s president in May 2019, with elections originally scheduled to take place in 2024. However, martial law has been in place since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, making it impossible to hold a fair and free election.
The UK itself suspended general elections between 1935 and 1945 due to the Second World War, a precedent that many have drawn upon to justify Ukraine’s decision.
Starmer’s diplomatic balancing act
Sir Keir’s call with Mr Zelensky comes at a pivotal moment, as he prepares to visit Washington next week. His meeting with Mr Trump will require delicate diplomacy, as Britain seeks to maintain its strong support for Ukraine while ensuring continued cooperation with the US.
During his conversation with Mr Zelensky, Sir Keir reaffirmed Britain’s commitment to US-led peace efforts, stating that any resolution must “deter Russia from any future aggression.”
The UK’s Defence Secretary, John Healey, reinforced this stance, urging European allies to apply “maximum pressure” on Mr Putin to negotiate seriously.
Meanwhile, Sir Keir attended a high-level meeting in Paris on Monday with other European leaders, where he pushed for the US to provide a security “backstop” to any future peace agreement. He has also signalled a willingness to consider sending British peacekeeping troops to Ukraine as part of a broader settlement—a proposal that has met resistance from some European allies.
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Ukraine’s diplomatic push
Following his call with Sir Keir, Mr Zelensky emphasised the UK’s crucial role in European defence, stating: “It is important for us, and we will never forget the respect the British people have shown for Ukraine and our citizens.”
Mr Zelensky’s diplomatic efforts continued throughout the day, with further conversations with French President Emmanuel Macron and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte. He is also scheduled to meet General Keith Kellogg, Mr Trump’s special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, on Thursday.
Commenting on the ongoing diplomatic discussions, Mr Zelensky said: “It is crucial that this discussion – and our overall cooperation with the US – remains constructive. Together with America and Europe, peace can be more secure, and that is our goal. But most importantly, this goal must be shared by our partners, not just by us.”
As tensions surrounding the Ukraine conflict continue to escalate, Britain’s firm support for Mr Zelensky signals its enduring commitment to upholding democracy in the face of Russian aggression and political disinformation.
