Zelensky arrived in London from Washington, where his White House meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump descended into a heated argument that scuttled a potential minerals deal.
“Despite the tough dialogue, we remain strategic partners,” Zelensky said, stressing he values Trump’s backing while “no one wants peace more” than Ukrainians.
European summit and royal meeting
Starmer, who also spoke by phone with Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron, will host a summit in London on Sunday focused on boosting Europe’s defense capabilities and seeking security guarantees for Ukraine. Zelensky is set to meet King Charles III at the monarch’s Sandringham estate; the Ukrainian leader called the royal meeting “very important.”
Macron, who visited Trump in Washington earlier this week, urged all parties to “calm down” and “show respect and gratitude” so as not to undermine broader diplomatic efforts. Meanwhile, top European officials, including Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz and European Council President António Costa, are expected to attend Sunday’s talks.
U.S. relations in limbo
Trump’s administration has excluded Europe from preliminary discussions with Russia, leaving EU leaders concerned about diminished American engagement. The minerals deal, which Ukraine hoped would incentivize Trump to support its war effort, remains shelved.
A senior White House official said the president currently has “no interest” in revisiting that agreement. At the same time, some in the U.S. administration, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, have demanded an apology from Zelensky for the Oval Office clash.
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Source: BBC, Reuters