LONDON: Greater than a dozen European leaders collect in London Sunday for disaster talks, trying to increase safety cooperation and help for Ukraine after an astonishing blowout between Kyiv and Washington.
Ukraine’s allies have been underscoring their steadfast dedication to counter rising issues that US President Donald Trump is about to promote Kyiv brief in negotiations with Russia.
The day after he was kicked out of the White Home, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was warmly welcomed to Downing Road on Saturday.
He twice embraced the British prime minister in entrance of cameras and secured a mortgage to strengthen defences depleted by greater than three years of warding off Russia’s invasion.
“I thank the folks and authorities of the UK for his or her large help from the very starting of this warfare,” Zelensky mentioned.
“We’re blissful to have such strategic companions and to share the identical imaginative and prescient of what a safe future ought to appear to be for all.”
He is because of meet King Charles III on Sunday earlier than becoming a member of a cohort of European allies at a safety summit.
The assembly brings collectively leaders from round continental Europe, together with France, Germany, Denmark and Italy in addition to Turkey, NATO and the European Union.
“Now could be the time for us to unite in an effort to assure the perfect final result for Ukraine, shield European safety, and safe our collective future,” UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer mentioned.
Downing Road mentioned Sunday’s summit would once more stress the necessity for a “sturdy lasting deal that delivers a everlasting peace” and focus on “subsequent steps on planning for sturdy safety ensures”.
With fears rising over whether or not the US will proceed to help NATO, the gathering within the UK will even deal with the necessity for Europe to extend defence cooperation.
‘Very welcome ‘
As Zelensky’s convoy swept into London on Saturday, a crowd of supporters cheered.
“You’re very, very welcome right here in Downing Road,” Starmer instructed Zelensky earlier than their 75-minute closed-door talks.
The pair mentioned Ukraine’s place and how you can finish the warfare “with a long-lasting and simply peace… that won’t permit Russia to make use of the ceasefire to rearm and assault once more”, in line with an announcement launched by Zelenksy’s workplace.
Additionally they unveiled a £2.26 billion ($2.84 billion) mortgage settlement to help Ukraine’s defence capabilities, to be paid again with the income of immobilised sovereign Russian property.
“The funds will probably be directed towards weapons manufacturing in Ukraine,” Zelensky mentioned. “That is true justice — the one who began the warfare have to be the one to pay.”
Whereas in London he mentioned he was “blissful” to “have such strategic companions and to share the identical imaginative and prescient of what a safe future ought to appear to be for all”.
Simply hours earlier, Zelensky was being shouted down on the White Home.
As cameras rolled within the Oval Workplace, Trump and US Vice President JD Vance angrily accused Zelensky of not being “grateful” and refusing to just accept their proposed truce phrases.
Trump additionally accused him of ingratitude and playing with the potential of World Warfare III.
Zelensky in the meantime insisted there needs to be “no compromises” with Putin because the events negotiate to finish the warfare.
‘Strategic companions’
Trump has alarmed Kyiv and European allies together with his abrupt pivoting of Washington’s years-long help for Ukraine.
The lately inaugurated Republican has forged himself as a mediator between Putin and Zelensky, and has sidelined Kyiv and Europe whereas pursuing rapprochement with Putin.
Within the Oval Workplace, Trump mentioned that he had “spoken on quite a few events” to Putin — greater than has been publicly reported.
Although he refused to apologise after the White Home conflict, Zelensky indicated that he was nonetheless open to signing a deal on Ukraine’s mineral wealth that’s coveted by Trump, insisting that “regardless of the robust dialogue” Ukraine and the US “stay strategic companions”.
“However we have to be sincere and direct with one another to really perceive our shared objectives,” the Ukrainian chief wrote on X.