Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrived in London on Saturday as part of a diplomatic effort to manage backlash after a contentious meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington the previous day. This visit precedes an emergency summit with European leaders scheduled for Sunday, where Zelenskyy aims to strengthen support across the continent.
During his encounter with Trump and Vice President JD Vance, Zelenskyy faced sharp criticism, with accusations of ingratitude. The meeting culminated in the cancellation of a planned press conference and the postponement of a vital minerals agreement, leaving Zelenskyy seeking to mitigate the impact of this diplomatic setback.
Zelenskyy calls for security guarantees
In a detailed social media thread posted on Saturday, Zelenskyy adopted a conciliatory stance, expressing his appreciation for American assistance while underscoring the urgent need for “security guarantees” to pave the way for a “just and lasting peace.” He cautioned that a mere cease-fire would fall short, pointing out that Russian President Vladimir Putin has breached truce agreements “25 times” over the past decade.
“It’s crucial for us to have President Trump’s support,” the Ukrainian leader stated. “He wants to end the war, but no one wants peace more than we do,” he added.
Zelenskyy further articulated his commitment to the minerals agreement, describing it as an essential first step towards securing broader guarantees. “But it’s not enough, and we need more than just that,” he emphasized. “A cease-fire without security guarantees is dangerous for Ukraine,” he warned, highlighting the ongoing conflict and the necessity for assurance from the U.S. that the American public stands with Ukraine.
Upcoming meetings with European leaders
Following his arrival, Zelenskyy was scheduled to meet with U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Downing Street, as reported by British media. Starmer is organizing the Sunday summit, which will focus on security assurances for Ukraine.
In the wake of the tumultuous Oval Office meeting, European leaders have rallied around Zelenskyy. French President Emmanuel Macron, along with Germany’s likely next chancellor Friedrich Merz and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, have all reaffirmed their commitment to supporting Kyiv with resolute statements following the Washington encounter.