As Keir Starmer and his aides huddled to discuss their response to Friday’s calamitous White House meeting between Donald Trump and , the prime minister’s team pondered whether to issue a statement on social media.

Already messages of support were flooding in for the Ukrainian president from other European leaders, including  and the .

But the prime minister decided to stay silent and instead display his backing with action rather than words. After a series of phone calls on Friday night, Starmer brought forward a planned visit by Zelenskyy to London, giving him the opportunity for a symbolic meeting at Downing Street followed by an audience with King Charles.



Keir Starmer hosted a defence summit with representatives from Europe, Turkey and Nato and had the backing of the leaders of the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats. Photograph: Jeff Overs/PA



Keir Starmer told the BBC he phoned Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelenskyy after the fractious meeting between the US and Ukrainian presidents at the White House. Photograph: Jeff Overs/PA



Keir Starmer took the unusual step of greeting Volodymyr Zelenskyy from his car and walking him back down the street after their meeting. Photograph: Simon Dawson/No 10 Downing Street



The world wants more Britain: David Lammy on Trump, tariffs, Gaza and the Chagos Islands. Photograph: Pippa Crerar Political editor. Image by: REUTERS / Roberta Sitter

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