UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has reaffirmed Britain’s unwavering support for Ukraine ahead of his upcoming discussions with US President Donald Trump in Washington, D.C. Starmer’s commitment comes at a critical moment, following Trump’s decision to re-open dialogue with Russia and seek a resolution to the ongoing war in Ukraine.
In a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Saturday, Starmer reiterated the UK’s “ironclad support” for Ukraine, emphasizing that the country “must be at the heart of any negotiations to end the war.” This marks the second conversation between the two leaders in four days, underscoring the urgency of the situation as geopolitical tensions rise.
The diplomatic activity follows Trump’s controversial remarks dismissing Zelensky’s role in peace talks and calling him a “dictator.” Trump’s stance has raised fears that Ukraine may be sidelined in potential negotiations between Washington and Moscow. The former US president’s rhetoric has alarmed European leaders, prompting emergency discussions on how to handle this sudden shift in US foreign policy.
In response, European leaders convened a crisis summit in Paris on Monday to strategize their next steps. French President Emmanuel Macron and Starmer are both scheduled to visit Washington this week in an effort to shape Trump’s approach toward the conflict. During a separate conversation with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Starmer stressed the need for Europe to “step up” and safeguard collective security, a sentiment echoed by other European leaders wary of a potential Trump-Putin agreement that excludes Ukraine.
Meanwhile, thousands of demonstrators marched in London over the weekend, protesting the US position on Ukraine. Protesters walked from the Ukrainian embassy to the Russian embassy, demanding that Ukraine remain central in any negotiations. Among them was Margaret Owen, 93, who likened Trump’s approach to the pre-World War II appeasement of Hitler. Labour MP Emily Thornberry also participated, arguing for a diplomatic rather than confrontational approach to influencing Trump’s policies.
For Ukraine, the stakes could not be higher. Oleksandra Udovenko, a Ukrainian student in the UK, voiced her fears, saying, “I’m here to protect my country’s interests, my country’s independence, and my country’s right to be free from any empire.”
As Starmer prepares for his meeting with Trump, the outcome could have profound consequences for Ukraine’s sovereignty and the future of European security. With the third anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion approaching, the world watches closely to see whether Ukraine’s fate will be determined with or without its involvement at the negotiating table.
