At one level, when Zelenskyy tried to reply, an indignant Trump accused him of “playing with World Conflict III.”
A Europe already rattled by Trump’s overtures to Russia’s President Vladimir Putin rapidly rallied round Zelenskyy, with the European Union’s prime diplomat, Kaja Kallas, saying in a press release that it is “clear that the free world wants a brand new chief”.
“It is essential for us to have President Trump’s help,” Zelenskyy mentioned in a sequence of posts on X on Saturday morning.
“He desires to finish the warfare, however nobody desires peace greater than we do.”
Zelenskyy emphasised his gratitude for the US’ backing of Ukraine within the three years since Russia invaded his nation.
In Friday’s fiery trade, Vance questioned whether or not the Ukrainian chief had been grateful sufficient for US help.
“We’re very grateful to the US for all of the help. I am grateful to President Trump, Congress for his or her bipartisan help, and American folks. Ukrainians have at all times appreciated this help, particularly throughout these three years of full-scale invasion,” Zelenskyy reiterated in his posts on social media.
The Ukrainian chief careworn that, regardless of Friday’s conflict, Ukraine and the US “stay strategic companions. However we should be sincere and direct with one another to actually perceive our shared targets.”
He mentioned that Ukraine is able to signal the minerals settlement that he had travelled to the US to hammer out, however famous that “it is not sufficient,” highlighting the absence of the safety ensures he is been looking for.
“We want extra than simply that. A ceasefire with out safety ensures is harmful for Ukraine. We have been preventing for 3 years, and Ukrainian folks must know that America is on our aspect,” Zelenskyy mentioned.
Starmer informed Zelenskyy on Saturday that Ukraine has the UK’s “full backing” as they met on the British chief’s official residence in London.
Starmer expressed “his unwavering help for Ukraine,” in accordance with an official readout of the assembly from Downing Avenue.
The 2 leaders signed an settlement to speed up US$2.8 billion ($4.5bn) value of loans to Ukraine – to be paid off by frozen sovereign Russian property.
Zelenskyy mentioned the funds would go towards the manufacturing of weapons in Ukraine, and added that he and Starmer spoke about “dependable safety ensures”.
Zelenskyy additionally introduced that King Charles had accepted an invite to fulfill on Sunday.
Zelenskyy’s UK journey comes forward of a summit of European leaders on Sunday, which was introduced amid rising concern that the Trump administration’s push to work with Russia may exclude Ukraine from deciding its personal destiny.
Simply final week, Trump wrongly accused Ukraine of beginning the warfare with Russia and known as Zelenskyy a “dictator”.
The week earlier than, he mentioned that Ukraine “could also be Russian sometime” when discussing what has now turn out to be the minerals settlement.
Russian officers reacted with glee to Friday’s fractious assembly. Dmitry Medvedev, the previous Russian president, mentioned Zelenskyy had “lastly acquired a correct slap down within the Oval Workplace”.
In the meantime, a flurry of Western international locations took to X to point out their staunch help for Kyiv.
A joint assertion by the leaders of the European Union, mentioned that Zelenskyy’s “dignity honours the bravery of the Ukrainian folks.”
NATO chief Mark Rutte known as the fractious Zelensky-Trump assembly “very unlucky.” In an interview with BBC Information, Rutte added that “it’s important that President Zelenskyy finds a approach to restore his relationship with the American president and with the senior American management staff.”
