# Starmer hosts Zelenskyy for ‘meaningful and warm’ talks

Ukraine leader embraced in No 10 and given £2.26bn defence loan one day after his White House dressing down

Keir Starmer has described his meeting with  as “meaningful and warm”, according to Downing Street.

The British prime minister met the Ukrainian president on Saturday evening, just 24 hours after Zelenskyy’s meeting with the US president, Donald Trump, and vice-president, JD Vance, in Washington.

While , leading to him leaving the White House earlier than planned with the planned minerals deal between the US and Ukraine collapsing, his meeting with Starmer was very different.

The two had embraced as Zelenskyy arrived at No 10 and Starmer had told the wartime leader  had “full backing across the United Kingdom”.

On Saturday night, a No 10 spokesperson said: “The prime minister reiterated his unwavering support for Ukraine, adding that the UK will always stand with them, for as long as it takes.

“The prime minister restated his determination to finding a path that ends Russia’s illegal war and ensures a just and lasting peace that secures Ukraine’s future sovereignty and security.

“The leaders looked forward to continuing these discussions at tomorrow’s leaders’ summit in London.”

In a statement on X after their meeting, the Ukrainian president said: “During our talks, we discussed the challenges facing Ukraine and all of , coordination with partners, concrete steps to strengthen Ukraine’s position, and ending the war with a just peace, along with robust security guarantees.

“A principled statement of support from the Prime Minister and an important decision: today, in our presence, Ukraine and the United Kingdom signed a Loan Agreement.”

The loan was signed by the UK chancellor, Rachel Reeves, and her Ukrainian counterpart, Sergii Marchenko.

The £2.26bn loan would “enhance Ukraine’s defence capabilities and will be repaid using revenues from frozen Russian assets”, Zelenskyy said. “The funds will be directed toward weapons production in Ukraine. This is true justice – the one who started the war must be the one to pay.”

I have a lot of respect for the Ukrainian president. He has been supporting Ukraine, and at the same time, this is a good opportunity to strengthen our ties and work together.

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