Zelenskyy set for European summit in London after Trump showdown

LONDON — European leaders will collect in London on Sunday to fulfill with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, following a tempestuous White House meeting that thrust U.S.-Ukrainian relations additional into disaster.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will “intensify his efforts in pursuit of a simply and lasting peace in Ukraine” whereas internet hosting Sunday’s summit within the British capital, an announcement from his workplace mentioned.

Talking with BBC Information on Sunday morning, Starmer mentioned he had agreed with President Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron that the U.Ok. and France would work on a Ukraine peace plan to then be offered to — and mentioned with — the U.S. The prime minister added that “one or two” different nations could also be concerned in drafting the plan “to cease the combating.”

Zelenskyy arrived within the U.Ok. on Saturday, straight from his go to to Washington, D.C., wherein an Oval Workplace assembly with Trump and Vice President JD Vance descended into an open argument in entrance of gathered reporters.

Trump and Vance lambasted Zelenskyy, falsely accusing Ukraine of beginning the 3-year-old struggle with Russia, which started when Moscow troops invaded Ukraine in February 2022. The American leaders additionally expressed frustration over a proposed minerals extraction take care of the U.S. and Kyiv’s alleged unwillingness to achieve a peace take care of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

European leaders have been fast to rally across the Ukrainian chief and his workforce, although a number of confused the significance of Kyiv retaining good — and repairing broken — relations with the U.S.

“The prime minister has this weekend reiterated his unwavering assist for Ukraine and is decided to discover a approach ahead that brings an finish to Russia’s unlawful struggle and ensures Ukraine a long-lasting peace primarily based on sovereignty and safety,” Starmer’s workplace mentioned in an announcement.

Starmer spoke with each Zelenskyy and Trump on Friday night within the instant aftermath of the Ukrainian chief’s disastrous D.C. go to, which ended with the cancellation of a deliberate press convention and the Ukrainian delegation being requested to depart the White Home.

Leaders from Germany, France, Denmark, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain, Turkey, Finland, Sweden, Czechia and Romania, in addition to the NATO secretary-general and the presidents of the European Fee and European Council, are anticipated to participate in Sunday’s summit.

The British chief’s assertion mentioned the important thing subjects of debate will embrace additional navy assist for Ukraine, elevated financial stress on Russia, the necessity for a “robust” and “lasting” peace deal that “ensures that Ukraine is ready to deter and defend towards future Russian assault, plus planning for “robust safety ensures” supplied by overseas companions.

“In partnership with our allies, we should intensify our preparations for the European factor of safety ensures, alongside continued discussions with america,” Starmer mentioned in an announcement.

Zelenskyy on Saturday thanked Starmer for his “significant and heat” reception in London. The president additionally confirmed that Ukraine and London signed an settlement permitting Kyiv to entry revenues generated by Russian monetary belongings frozen within the U.Ok.

“I thank the folks and authorities of the UK for his or her great assist from the very starting of this struggle,” Zelenskyy wrote on social media. “We’re joyful to have such strategic companions and to share the identical imaginative and prescient of what a safe future ought to seem like for all.”

Zelenskyy can also be resulting from meet with King Charles III on Sunday, the Ukrainian chief’s spokesperson confirmed to ABC Information.

ABC Information’ Rashid Haddou, Victoria Beaule, Oleksiy Pshemyskiy and Tom Soufi Burridge contributed to this report.