Ukrainian leader Voldimir Zelensky departed from the US for the UK on Saturday and landed in London ahead of consultations with European leaders after a dressdown by President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance at the Oval Office.
Following Friday's sensational White House meeting, Ukrainian leaders were accused of acting “disrespectfully” to President Trump and the Americans, and Zelessunky quickly flew off to England before talking about streets with European allies early Saturday morning. He is expected to meet today with the British Prime Minister's choice.
Zelensky, who was kicked out of the White House by President Trump, said he could return when he was “prepared for peace,” but said that American taxpayers could leave the United States without signing a planned agreement on mineral rights that was made to support the country's war efforts following the 2022 Russian violation.
In a clear attempt to ease tensions when the Trump administration lands in London – It is reportedly According to the UK, earlier than expected mirror Newspaper – Zelensky I wrote it X: “We are very grateful to the United States for all our support. We are grateful to President Trump, the bipartisan support of Congress, and the Americans. Ukrainians have always appreciated this support, especially during the last three years of full-scale invasion.”
“American help is essential to help us survive, and I would like to acknowledge that. Despite the tough dialogue, we remain strategic partners. But we need to be honest and direct with each other in order to truly understand our shared goals,” he added.
Zelensky said that Kiev's support for President Trump was “significant” and that he still wants to sign a mineral trade, but repeated the demands he made in his oval office on Friday, claiming that further security assurances were necessary for “permanent peace.”
Ukrainian leaders, who had been intended to meet with European leaders in London on Sunday in consultations hosted by British Prime Minister Stage, have failed to bring about a consistent strategy for European powers in the aftermath of a potential peace deal.
Many European leaders, like the US Democrats and legacy media, appeared to take the side of Ukrainian leaders after a fierce meeting with President Trump.
However, Zelensky was criticized by Republican Sen. Lindsay Graham, one of the party's most enthusiastic supporters. Saturday, Graham I said“What I saw in the oval office was rude… I don't know if I'll be able to do business with Zelenskyy again.
Despite unwavering support claims, deep divisions remain among leaders over the possibility of Ukraine violating pan-European peacekeeping forces, with the main force of powers such as Germany, Italy and Poland refusing to commit soldiers.
Berlin and London demanded that such peacekeepers be backed up with security guarantees from the US troops. However, the Trump administration reportedly rejected such a call. Washington suggests that the minerals' deal with Ukraine could serve as a de facto security guarantee, and claims that Russia is hesitant to anger the US by risking economic benefits to the region.
But this doesn't seem to be enough for Zelensky, whom I said on Saturday. Our situation is difficult, but we cannot stop fighting and we cannot guarantee that Putin will not come back tomorrow. ”
Also, questions remained about Europe's military capabilities to actually enforce Ukraine's peace, with many countries failing to invest in their defense for a long time in favor of their luxurious welfare programme, relying on US power and commitment from American taxpayers to protect the continent.
Former British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt said the meeting between Trump and Zelensky underscored the need for Europe to demonstrate to the US that it “pulls weight” on NATO defence spending.
“From a European perspective, there are even greater priorities than the future of Ukraine, the future of NATO. And there's a simple message from what happened yesterday, and that's what we don't take for granted,” Hunt said. I said Around Daily Mail.
“2.5% of the GDP increase in defence spending this week is welcome from Kiel's ancestors, but that's not enough. All European NATO countries need to get much closer to 3.4% of the GDP that America is spending before the US feels that Europe is pulling that weight.”
