President Zelenskyy welcomed on visit to UK

(CLO) British Prime Minister Keir Starmer greeted President Volodymyr Zelenskyy with a warm hug on Saturday as the Ukrainian leader arrived in London for talks following a heated debate at the White House with US President Donald Trump.

In London, crowds cheered as Zelenskyy arrived for talks with Prime Minister Starmer at his Downing Street office ahead of the European leaders' summit that the Ukrainian president will attend on Sunday to discuss a peace plan for Ukraine.

"I hope you heard the cheers in the streets. That's the sound of the British people taking to the streets to show how much they support you... and our absolute determination to stand by you," Mr. Starmer told him. "We will stand by you and Ukraine for as long as we can."

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer welcomes President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in London on March 1, 2025. Photo: X/VolodymyrZelenskyy

Zelenskyy said on Saturday that he had held "important and warm" talks with Starmer, discussing strengthening Ukraine's position and securing credible security guarantees.

"During the talks, we discussed the challenges facing Ukraine and all of Europe, coordination with our partners, concrete steps to strengthen Ukraine's position and end the war fairly, with credible security guarantees," Zelenskyy wrote on Telegram.

Other European leaders also issued messages of support for Zelenskyy and Ukraine following his tense meeting with President Trump, highlighting the differences between traditional allies, the US and Europe, on the war since Trump's return to power.

The French presidential palace said Macron also spoke with British Secretary Starmer, European Council President Antonio Costa, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte the night before the conference in London.

"I think that, in addition to the tension, people need to remain calm, show respect and gratitude so that we can move forward concretely, because what is at stake is so important," Macron told reporters on Sunday.

Macron said President Zelenskyy had told him he was ready to "restore dialogue" with the United States, including an agreement that would allow the US access to revenue from Ukraine's natural resources.

Zelenskyy is also scheduled to meet King Charles on Sunday. "I am very pleased that His Majesty has accepted my request for a meeting tomorrow," the Ukrainian president told Starmer at the start of their meeting.

The United Kingdom is a strong supporter of Ukraine, and King Charles previously expressed his support for Zelenskyy, speaking of the "determination and strength" of the Ukrainian people in their conflict with Russia.

During his visit to the White House last week, Mr. Starmer presented President Trump with a written invitation from King Charles for a state visit to the United Kingdom.

Hoang Huy (according to Guardian, Reuters, AJ)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/tong-thong-zelenskyy-duoc-chao-don-khi-toi-tham-vuong-quoc-anh-post336737.html