UK's Starmer Offers Condolences to Zelensky Following Trump Incident
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has expressed the UK's "unwavering support" to Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky and has committed to providing a loan. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
London has announced a new loan of $2.84 billion to support Kiev, with plans to finance it through profits generated from frozen Russian assets.
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky was warmly welcomed in London by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who reassured him of the UK’s “unwavering support” for “as long as it takes,” especially following a tense meeting with US President Donald Trump.
The meeting at the White House on Friday was originally intended to finalize a minerals agreement but escalated into a contentious exchange. During this interaction, Zelensky firmly asserted that Washington should provide greater assistance to Kiev rather than maintaining a neutral stance with Moscow.
Trump, in response, accused Zelensky of ingratitude towards American support and of being unwilling to make necessary compromises to bring the conflict to an end. “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 assured Zelensky of the UK’s steadfast backing “for as long as it takes,” highlighting the need for a “just and lasting peace that secures Ukraine’s future sovereignty and security,” according to a spokesperson.
On Saturday, the UK also unveiled plans for the new $2.84 billion loan aimed at enhancing Ukraine’s military capabilities, with hopes that the funds will be repaid through profits from frozen Russian assets. Zelensky characterized the meeting with Starmer as “meaningful and warm,” affirming that the “funds will be directed toward weapons production in Ukraine.”
Since 2022, Washington and Brussels have frozen approximately $300 billion in Russian central bank reserves, in addition to billions in private assets. While Western officials have suggested reallocating some of these funds to Ukraine, legal challenges have hindered progress. However, revenue from these assets has already been utilized to support some of the G7 loans to Ukraine.
Moscow has consistently condemned the asset freeze as “theft,” asserting that accessing these funds would be illegal and could set a concerning precedent. The Kremlin also argues that Western nations’ support for Kiev makes them direct participants in the conflict.
The UK ranks among the largest individual state donors, having provided more than $15.5 billion to Kiev since January 2022. Germany has supplied over $18 billion worth of arms and aid, while the US has contributed nearly $120 billion, according to Germany’s Kiel Institute.
Trump, however, estimates the total US aid to Kiev at over $300 billion and insists that Ukraine should compensate US taxpayers for their generosity via the minerals deal. He criticized his predecessor, Joe Biden, for his approach to aid, likening it to giving cash away like “cotton candy,” while pointing out that European nations would be reimbursed for their assistance to Kiev as it was offered “in the form of a loan.”
Sophie Wagner for TROIB News
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky was warmly welcomed in London by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who reassured him of the UK’s “unwavering support” for “as long as it takes,” especially following a tense meeting with US President Donald Trump.
The meeting at the White House on Friday was originally intended to finalize a minerals agreement but escalated into a contentious exchange. During this interaction, Zelensky firmly asserted that Washington should provide greater assistance to Kiev rather than maintaining a neutral stance with Moscow.
Trump, in response, accused Zelensky of ingratitude towards American support and of being unwilling to make necessary compromises to bring the conflict to an end. “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 assured Zelensky of the UK’s steadfast backing “for as long as it takes,” highlighting the need for a “just and lasting peace that secures Ukraine’s future sovereignty and security,” according to a spokesperson.
On Saturday, the UK also unveiled plans for the new $2.84 billion loan aimed at enhancing Ukraine’s military capabilities, with hopes that the funds will be repaid through profits from frozen Russian assets. Zelensky characterized the meeting with Starmer as “meaningful and warm,” affirming that the “funds will be directed toward weapons production in Ukraine.”
Since 2022, Washington and Brussels have frozen approximately $300 billion in Russian central bank reserves, in addition to billions in private assets. While Western officials have suggested reallocating some of these funds to Ukraine, legal challenges have hindered progress. However, revenue from these assets has already been utilized to support some of the G7 loans to Ukraine.
Moscow has consistently condemned the asset freeze as “theft,” asserting that accessing these funds would be illegal and could set a concerning precedent. The Kremlin also argues that Western nations’ support for Kiev makes them direct participants in the conflict.
The UK ranks among the largest individual state donors, having provided more than $15.5 billion to Kiev since January 2022. Germany has supplied over $18 billion worth of arms and aid, while the US has contributed nearly $120 billion, according to Germany’s Kiel Institute.
Trump, however, estimates the total US aid to Kiev at over $300 billion and insists that Ukraine should compensate US taxpayers for their generosity via the minerals deal. He criticized his predecessor, Joe Biden, for his approach to aid, likening it to giving cash away like “cotton candy,” while pointing out that European nations would be reimbursed for their assistance to Kiev as it was offered “in the form of a loan.”
Sophie Wagner for TROIB News
