Zelensky-Keir Starmer meeting highlights: Zelensky holds ‘meaningful, warm’ meeting with UK PM Starmer

Zelensky-Keir Starmer meeting LIVE Updates: The UK “shouldn’t be talking” of giving Donald Trump another state visit in light of the “unacceptable” scenes in the Oval Office, John Swinney has said. Scotland’s First Minister also said there needs to be an “honest debate” about taxation in light of the increase to defence spending, PA_Media reported.

Zelensky-Keir Starmer meeting LIVE Updates: Starmer said that after discussions with Zelensky and Macron that there has been an agreement made that the UK, along with France, and “possibly one or two others” will work with Kyiv to stop the war. He said this agreed peace plan will be presented to the US. “I think we’ve got a step in the right direction”, Starmer told Laura Kuenssberg on the BBC.

Zelensky-Keir Starmer meeting LIVE: European leaders will gather in London on Sunday to forge a common position on ending the war in Ukraine, before the country’s premier heads off to meet the King. 

While Donald Trump’s America is the driving force behind brokering a peace with Russia, Keir Starmer wants Europe to be ready to lead peacekeeping efforts should a deal be struck.

Zelensky-Keir Starmer meeting LIVE: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer warmly embraced Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and assured him of the United Kingdom's unwavering support for Ukraine in its ongoing battle against Russia. Volodymyr Zelenskyy appeared visibly emotional during his conversation with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, just one day after his tense exchange with US President Donald Trump at the White House. Read more

Zelensky-Keir Starmer meeting Updates: Russian President Vladimir Putin dropped a hint about offering rare-earth minerals deal to US after Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky failed to reach an agreement on their supposed deal following a massive argument between the two at the White House. Read more

Zelensky-Keir Starmer meeting LIVE: Keir Starmer spoke with US President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron after welcoming Volodymyr Zelensky to Downing Street. 

The calls took place after the Prime Minister insisted Ukraine had “full backing across the United Kingdom” in a No 10 meeting with the country’s president, the PA news agency reported. 

Zelensky-Keir Starmer meeting LIVE: In a post on X, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called his London meeting with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer “meaningful and warm” and thanked Europe for supporting Ukraine. 

“A meaningful and warm meeting with Prime Minister @Keir_Starmer. 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 wrote. 

Zelensky-Keir Starmer meeting LIVE Updates: According to a Bloomberg report, UK prime minister Keir Starmer will make European leaders aware of the “brutal reality” and increase defence spending as he seeks to use his line into the White House to keep the trans-Atlantic alliance from breaking apart over Ukraine.

The British premier will deliver the message to representatives from more than a dozen other long-time American allies on Sunday during a European security summit in London, Bloomberg reported citing a person with knowledge of the matter. 

The UK and Ukraine signed a loan agreement worth £2.26 billion ($2.84 billion, €2.74 billion).

The loan is intended to strengthen Ukraine's defence capabilities.

The agreement was signed virtually by UK Finance Minister Rachel Reeves and Ukrainian Finance Minister Sergii Marchenko.

The loan reflects the UK's ongoing and unwavering support for Ukraine.

The loan will be repaid using the profits from immobilised sovereign Russian assets.

German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier has issued a rare rebuke of US President Donald Trump, condemning his handling of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to the White House.

"Diplomacy fails when negotiating partners are humiliated in front of the whole world," Steinmeier said, referring to Trump and Vice President JD Vance’s sharp criticism of Zelenskyy during their Oval Office meeting.

"The scene in the White House yesterday took my breath away. I would never have believed that we would one day have to protect Ukraine from the USA."

Russia claims its forces have captured two more villages in eastern Ukraine.

The Russian Defense Ministry reported taking Burlatske and Skudne in Donetsk region.

If confirmed, this marks further Russian advances northwest in Ukraine’s industrial heartland.

The gains are part of a months-long Russian offensive in eastern Ukraine.

Russia claims it shot down three Ukrainian drones targeting the TurkStream gas pipeline infrastructure.

TurkStream transports Russian gas across the Black Sea to Turkey and Europe.

The drones allegedly aimed at a compressor station in Russia’s Krasnodar region.

Russia says this is one of several similar drone attacks this year.

Ukraine has not commented over Russian claims.

US President Donald Trump’s national security adviser, Mike Waltz, has dismissed claims that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was "ambushed" during his tense White House meeting with Trump and Vice President JD Vance.

Speaking on Fox News on Saturday, Waltz asserted that Zelensky had misjudged the political shift in Washington following Trump's return to office.

"He has not gotten the memo that this is a new sheriff in town," Waltz said, contrasting Trump's stance with that of former President Joe Biden.

"Under Biden, he was told ‘as long as it takes, as much as it takes, blank check.’ That’s not the case anymore."

"That is absolutely and categorically false," he said, defending Trump's tough stance as a necessary shift in US foreign policy.

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico reiterated that Slovakia will not provide military or financial aid to Ukraine.

Fico urged the EU summit in Brussels to call for an immediate ceasefire, despite opposition from Zelenskyy and most EU members.

He insisted that Ukraine must reopen the transit of Russian gas to Europe, making it a key demand for Slovakia.

Fico cautioned that if Slovakia’s requests are not respected, the European Council may fail to reach a unified position on Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has left Downing Street after his meeting with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

Starmer accompanied Zelenskyy to his motorcade, sharing another embrace before his departure.

Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala warned that Europe must take responsibility for its own security, stating, “Nobody else will do it.”

Fiala urged greater military aid for Ukraine, emphasising the need for stronger European defense efforts.

He called on European nations to raise their military spending to at least 3% of GDP to ensure security.

Fiala cautioned that failure to act swiftly would allow the aggressor to dictate terms, which could have severe consequences for Europe.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban urged the EU to follow the US example and engage in direct ceasefire talks with Russia.

Orban emphasised the need for direct discussions to achieve a ceasefire and long-term peace in Ukraine.

In a letter to the European Council president, Orban stated that his approach clashes with the EU’s draft summit conclusions.

The draft conclusions affirm that negotiations on Ukraine must include Ukraine and that any ceasefire should be part of a broader peace agreement.

Ukraine President Zelensky noted seeing a large crowd outside Downing Street and expressed gratitude for the UK’s continued support.

He expressed happiness that King Charles III had accepted a meeting scheduled for tomorrow.

Zelenskyy thanked UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer for organising a major defence summit.

He emphasised that Ukraine values its strategic partnership with the UK, citing the 100-year partnership agreement between the two nations.

"Unwavering determination, to achieve what we both want to achieve, which is a lasting peace, a lasting peace for Ukraine, based on sovereignty and security for Ukraine. So important for Ukraine, so important for Europe, and so important for the United Kingdom,” UK PM Keir Starmer ahead of his meeting with Ukraine President Zelensky.

A group of pro-Ukrainian demonstrators could be seen outside the gates of the street, and were heard to cheer as Zelensky’s convoy drove by. At the top of their meeting, Sir Keir said: “I hope you heard some of that cheering in the street. That is the people of the United Kingdom coming out to demonstrate how much they support you and how much they support Ukraine, and our absolute determination to stand with you."

European leaders will join UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at Downing Street on Sunday for high-level talks.

The summit will focus on military aid, security guarantees, and strengthening European support for Ukraine.

King Charles III will also meet with Zelenskyy as part of the Ukrainian leader’s official visit to Britain.

Addressing the cheering crowds outside Downing Street, Prime Minister Keir Starmer assured Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of the UK’s steadfast support, stating, "You're very, very welcome here in Downing Street," Starmer told Zelensky. "And as you've heard from the cheers street outside, you have full backing across the United Kingdom, and we stand with you with Ukraine for as long as it may take."

He further emphasised UK’s "absolute" and "unwavering" commitment to securing a lasting peace for Ukraine, grounded in sovereignty and security.

In response, Zelensky expressed gratitude to Starmer and the British people for their continued support since the start of the war. (SKY News)

Supporters cheered as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s convoy arrived at 10 Downing Street.

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer embraced Zelensky upon arrival.

The two leaders posed for photographs outside Downing Street.

Zelensky and Starmer then headed inside for high-level discussions.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has arrived at 10 Downing Street for a high-level meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

The talks come amid growing uncertainty over UA support for Ukraine following Zelensky’s heated exchange with US President Donald Trump at the White House.

NATO chief Mark Rutte has urged Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to mend ties with US President Donald Trump following their heated White House exchange. Speaking to the BBC on Saturday, Rutte emphasized the importance of unity between Ukraine, the United States, and Europe in securing a lasting peace.

"I have been twice on the phone now with President Zelenskyy. I told him this: we need to stick together, the United States, Ukraine, and Europe, to bring Ukraine to a durable peace," Rutte said. (AFP)

NATO chief Mark Rutte told the BBC on Saturday that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy must "find a way" to mend ties with U.S. President Donald Trump following their White House clash.

Rutte said that had talked to the Ukrainian leader and told him: "You have to find a way, dear Volodymyr, to restore your relationship with Donald Trump and the American administration." (AFP)

European leaders have voiced strong support for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy after his tense Oval Office confrontation with US President Donald Trump on Friday.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk reassured him, stating, "You are not alone." British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who recently visited the White House himself, said he had spoken with both Trump and Zelenskyy and vowed "unwavering support" for Kyiv.

French President Emmanuel Macron has indicated his willingness to "open the discussion" on a European nuclear deterrent, following a request from Germany’s next leader, Friedrich Merz, who has stressed the urgency of reducing reliance on the United States.

Turkey, which played a role in previous negotiations between Russia and Ukraine in 2022, has also been invited to the European summit. Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan spoke with Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov on Saturday about the war, with Turkey reaffirming its commitment to "Ukraine’s territorial integrity."

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in the UK.

His plane, branded with Ukraine’s flag, touched down at London’s Stansted Airport.

A large convoy of vehicles met Zelenskyy upon arrival.

The motorcade left the airport, heading toward central London.

Zelenskyy will meet British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Downing Street.

Discussions are expected to focus on military aid and European security.

Starmer will host a defence summit with European leaders in London.

The summit will address military cooperation and Ukraine’s long-term security.

Zelenskyy’s visit follows a heated confrontation with U.S. President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance.

The Oval Office dispute led to concerns over future US support for Ukraine.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry called Zelenskyy’s Washington visit a "complete political and diplomatic failure."

The Kremlin claims he is "obsessed" with continuing the war rather than seeking peace.

"The visit ... to Washington on February 28 is a complete political and diplomatic failure by the Kyiv regime," Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said.

"For the sake of this, he has destroyed the opposition, built a totalitarian state and ruthlessly sends millions of citizens to their deaths," Zakharova said.

Zelenskyy and US President Donald Trump had a heated exchange during their Oval Office meeting.

Trump and Vice President JD Vance accused Zelenskyy of being disrespectful and questioned future US support.

Nigel Farage, Member of Parliament of the United Kingdom, has reacted to the heated exchange between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, US President Donald Trump, and Vice President JD Vance at the White House, calling the confrontation "regrettable" and warning that it could embolden Russian President Vladimir Putin.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Farage wrote, "The spat in the White House last night is regrettable and will make Putin feel like the winner. But this is not the end of the story, far from it. A peace deal is essential and Ukraine needs the right security guarantees."

Trump-Zelenskyy meeting LIVE Updates: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will meet British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Saturday, Starmer's office said, ahead of a wider summit of European leaders in London on Sunday to discuss a peace plan for Ukraine.

"The Prime Minister and President Zelenskyy will be meeting in Downing Street this afternoon," a spokesperson for Starmer's office said.