(CLO) British Prime Minister Keir Starmer greeted President Volodymyr Zelenskyy with a warm hug on Saturday as the Ukrainian leader arrived in London for talks following a heated White House debate with US President Donald Trump.
In London, crowds cheered as Mr Zelenskyy arrived for talks with Prime Minister Starmer in his Downing Street office ahead of a summit of European leaders that the Ukrainian president will attend on Sunday to discuss a peace plan for Ukraine.
“I hope you heard the cheers in the streets. Those are the people of the United Kingdom coming out to show how much they support you… and our absolute determination to stand with you,” Mr Starmer told him. “We will stand with you and Ukraine for as long as we can.”
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer welcomes President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in London on March 1, 2025. Photo: X/VolodymyrZelenskyy
Mr Zelenskyy said on Saturday he had “important and warm” talks with Starmer, discussing strengthening Ukraine’s position and obtaining reliable security guarantees.
"During the talks, we discussed the challenges facing Ukraine and all of Europe, coordination with our partners, concrete steps to strengthen Ukraine's position and end the war in a just manner, with reliable security guarantees," Zelenskyy wrote on Telegram.
Other European leaders also offered messages of support for Mr Zelenskyy and Ukraine after his tense meeting with President Trump, highlighting the differences between traditional US and European allies over the fight since Trump returned to power.
The French presidency said Mr Macron also spoke with British Minister Starmer, European Council President Antonio Costa and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte on the eve of the London summit.
“I think that beyond tension, people need to be calm, show respect and gratitude so that we can move forward concretely, because what is at stake is so important,” Mr Macron told reporters on Sunday.
Mr Macron said President Zelenskyy had told him he was ready to “restore dialogue” with the United States, including a deal to allow the US access to revenues from Ukraine’s natural resources.
Mr Zelenskyy is also expected to meet King Charles on Sunday. “I am very pleased that His Majesty has accepted my meeting tomorrow,” the Ukrainian president told Mr Starmer at the start of the meeting.
The UK is a strong supporter of Ukraine and King Charles has previously expressed his support for Zelenskyy, speaking of the "determination and strength" of the Ukrainian people in their conflict with Russia.
During a visit to the White House last week, Mr Starmer presented President Trump with a written invitation from King Charles to make a state visit to the UK.
Hoang Huy (according to Guardian, Reuters, AJ)
Source: https://www.congluan.vn/tong-thong-zelenskyy-duoc-chao-don-khi-toi-tham-vuong-quoc-anh-post336737.html
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