UK PM Starmer hugs Zelensky following Trump debacle
British PM Keir Starmer has reaffirmed the UK's "unwavering support" for Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky, while also pledging a loan. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
London has announced a new loan of $2.84 billion for Kiev, which it aims to support through profits from frozen Russian assets.
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky received a warm reception in London from British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who reiterated the UK's “unwavering support” for Ukraine “for as long as it takes.” This show of solidarity followed a contentious meeting with US President Donald Trump.
The meeting between Trump and Zelensky at the White House on Friday was intended to solidify a minerals agreement but turned into a heated discussion. The Ukrainian leader firmly insisted that Washington should increase its support for Kiev rather than acting as a neutral mediator with Moscow.
Trump criticized Zelensky for what he perceived as ingratitude towards American support, suggesting that the Ukrainian leader was resistant to making the necessary concessions to resolve the conflict. “We’re looking for peace,” Trump stated. “We’re not looking for somebody that’s going to sign up a strong power and then not make peace because they feel emboldened.”
In stark contrast, Starmer committed to providing “for as long as it takes,” emphasizing the need for a “just and lasting peace that secures Ukraine’s future sovereignty and security,” according to a spokesperson.
On Saturday, the UK unveiled plans for a $2.84 billion loan aimed at enhancing Ukraine’s military capabilities, with hopes that repayments will come from profits generated by frozen Russian assets. Zelensky regarded the meeting with Starmer as “meaningful and warm,” assuring that the “funds will be directed toward weapons production in Ukraine.”
Since 2022, around $300 billion in Russian central bank reserves, along with billions in private assets, have been frozen by Washington and Brussels. Although there have been proposals to redirect some of these funds to Ukraine, legal complications have impeded progress. Nonetheless, proceeds from these frozen assets are already being utilized to back some of the G7 loans to Ukraine.
Moscow has consistently denounced the asset freeze as “theft,” arguing that accessing these funds would be illegal and create a dangerous precedent. The Kremlin asserts that Western nations' support for Kiev makes them direct participants in the ongoing conflict.
The UK stands as one of the largest individual state donors, having contributed over $15.5 billion to Kiev since January 2022. In comparison, Berlin has provided more than $18 billion in arms and aid, while the US has extended aid totaling nearly $120 billion, according to data from Germany’s Kiel Institute.
Trump has, however, projected overall US aid to Kiev at over $300 billion and has called for Ukraine to compensate US taxpayers for their assistance through the minerals deal. He criticized his predecessor, Joe Biden, for dispensing funds without conditions, likening the approach to giving away “cotton candy,” while noting that European nations would be repaid for their aid since it was provided “in the form of a loan.”
Thomas Evans contributed to this report for TROIB News
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky received a warm reception in London from British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who reiterated the UK's “unwavering support” for Ukraine “for as long as it takes.” This show of solidarity followed a contentious meeting with US President Donald Trump.
The meeting between Trump and Zelensky at the White House on Friday was intended to solidify a minerals agreement but turned into a heated discussion. The Ukrainian leader firmly insisted that Washington should increase its support for Kiev rather than acting as a neutral mediator with Moscow.
Trump criticized Zelensky for what he perceived as ingratitude towards American support, suggesting that the Ukrainian leader was resistant to making the necessary concessions to resolve the conflict. “We’re looking for peace,” Trump stated. “We’re not looking for somebody that’s going to sign up a strong power and then not make peace because they feel emboldened.”
In stark contrast, Starmer committed to providing “for as long as it takes,” emphasizing the need for a “just and lasting peace that secures Ukraine’s future sovereignty and security,” according to a spokesperson.
On Saturday, the UK unveiled plans for a $2.84 billion loan aimed at enhancing Ukraine’s military capabilities, with hopes that repayments will come from profits generated by frozen Russian assets. Zelensky regarded the meeting with Starmer as “meaningful and warm,” assuring that the “funds will be directed toward weapons production in Ukraine.”
Since 2022, around $300 billion in Russian central bank reserves, along with billions in private assets, have been frozen by Washington and Brussels. Although there have been proposals to redirect some of these funds to Ukraine, legal complications have impeded progress. Nonetheless, proceeds from these frozen assets are already being utilized to back some of the G7 loans to Ukraine.
Moscow has consistently denounced the asset freeze as “theft,” arguing that accessing these funds would be illegal and create a dangerous precedent. The Kremlin asserts that Western nations' support for Kiev makes them direct participants in the ongoing conflict.
The UK stands as one of the largest individual state donors, having contributed over $15.5 billion to Kiev since January 2022. In comparison, Berlin has provided more than $18 billion in arms and aid, while the US has extended aid totaling nearly $120 billion, according to data from Germany’s Kiel Institute.
Trump has, however, projected overall US aid to Kiev at over $300 billion and has called for Ukraine to compensate US taxpayers for their assistance through the minerals deal. He criticized his predecessor, Joe Biden, for dispensing funds without conditions, likening the approach to giving away “cotton candy,” while noting that European nations would be repaid for their aid since it was provided “in the form of a loan.”
Thomas Evans contributed to this report for TROIB News
