Sir Keir Starmer has reaffirmed Britain’s steadfast commitment to Ukraine following a heated exchange in the Oval Office between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Donald Trump. The Prime Minister spoke with both leaders in an attempt to de-escalate tensions and reaffirm the UK’s support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and security.
Tense exchange in the white house
The highly charged meeting in Washington saw Mr Trump and Mr Zelensky engage in a terse verbal exchange, reportedly over a minerals deal that would have provided further US military assistance in exchange for access to Ukraine’s natural resources. The US president accused Mr Zelensky of “gambling with World War Three” and urged him to be “more thankful” for the support already provided by the United States.
In an extraordinary moment, the Ukrainian leader responded by warning that if the US withdrew support, it would “feel it in the future.” The discussion escalated as Mr Trump countered, “Don’t tell us what we’re going to feel. We’re trying to solve a problem.”
US Vice President JD Vance also clashed with Mr Zelensky, criticising him for not expressing gratitude and accusing Ukraine of forcing conscripts to the front lines due to manpower shortages.
Following the explosive meeting, Mr Zelensky left the White House earlier than expected, and a planned joint press conference was cancelled. The failure to reach an agreement on the minerals deal underscores growing friction between Washington and Kyiv, with Mr Trump reportedly frustrated over Ukraine’s handling of peace negotiations with Russia.
Starmer steps in to mend relations
Amid the diplomatic fallout, Sir Keir Starmer intervened, holding separate conversations with both President Trump and President Zelensky. Downing Street later released a statement reaffirming the UK’s commitment to Ukraine.
“The Prime Minister has tonight spoken to both President Trump and President Zelensky,” a No 10 spokeswoman said. “He retains unwavering support for Ukraine and is doing all he can to find a path forward to a lasting peace based on sovereignty and security for Ukraine.”
Sir Keir has positioned Britain as a crucial bridge between Europe and the US, working to maintain Western unity in supporting Ukraine. His intervention followed a wider show of European solidarity, with leaders including French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reiterating their support for Ukraine.
Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin described the confrontation in the Oval Office as “quite extraordinary” and “very unsettling,” praising Mr Zelensky’s resolve in resisting Russian aggression. Meanwhile, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch called for “respectable diplomacy,” warning that “a divided West only benefits Russia.”
Trump’s reaction and future talks
Despite the public fallout, Mr Trump later suggested on his Truth Social platform that he remained open to further discussions with Mr Zelensky. “He can come back when he is ready for peace,” the US president wrote.
Speaking to reporters before flying to Florida, Mr Trump acknowledged that their meeting “didn’t work out exactly great” and that Mr Zelensky “wanted to fight, fight, fight” while the US was focused on “ending this death.”
More Read
Mr Zelensky took a more conciliatory tone on X (formerly Twitter), thanking the US for its ongoing support. “Thank you America, thank you for your support, thank you for this visit. Thank you (Mr Trump), Congress, and the American people. Ukraine needs just and lasting peace, and we are working exactly for that,” he posted.
Next steps: Downing street summit
Sir Keir will host a gathering of European leaders at Downing Street on Sunday, with Mr Zelensky expected to attend. The summit will focus on planning for long-term security guarantees for Ukraine should a peace deal be reached. The UK will push for increased economic pressure on Russia and continued military support for Kyiv.
There are also discussions about involving US military assets, such as surveillance and intelligence capabilities, and potentially warplanes to deter Russian aggression. Britain hopes to convince Washington that maintaining strong support for Ukraine is crucial in preventing further conflict in Europe.
As tensions between Washington and Kyiv persist, Sir Keir’s diplomatic efforts are seen as pivotal in keeping the Western alliance unified. His attempt to mediate between Mr Trump and Mr Zelensky highlights Britain’s ongoing role in shaping international efforts to secure Ukraine’s future.
