Ukraine war latest: Starmer pledges £2bn weapons loan to Zelensky and tells him: ‘you have UK’s full backing’
Sir Keir Starmer has a £2.26billion weapons package to Ukraine following his “meaningful and warm” meeting with Volodymyr Zelensky.
Sir Keir told the Ukrainian president he has “full backing across the United Kingdom” as the men met at No 10. Mr Zelensky told the prime minister “we count on your support”.
The Ukrainian president’s meeting comes a day after his explosive White House clash with US president Donald Trump.
In contrast with the terse exchange in the Oval Office, the meeting between Sir Keir and the Ukrainian president appeared warm.
Mr Zelensky hailed a “meaningful and warm meeting” with Sir Keir Starmer. He said the UK and Ukraine signed a loan agreement to enhance Ukraine’s defense capabilities, with repayment coming from revenues from frozen Russian assets that will fund weapons production in Ukraine.
Ukraine’s finance minister said the loan was valued at £2.26bn.
Mr Zelensky will also meet with King Charles on Sunday ahead of a defence summit with European leaders in London.
The US president claimed Mr Zelensky was “gambling with World War Three” in a series of heated exchanges on Friday which were broadcast around the world.
