Zelenskiy Meets Starmer in London as Europe Eyes Trump-Putin Summit
By Global Leaders Insights Team | Aug 14, 2025
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy sat down with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street on Thursday, as Europe prepares for a high-stakes U.S.-Russia summit in Alaska.
Fresh off virtual talks with U.S. President Donald Trump and European leaders from Berlin, Zelenskiy’s visit comes just before Trump’s Friday meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The London meeting shows Europe’s determination to keep Ukraine’s needs in focus during the Anchorage summit, where Trump hopes to negotiate a ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine war, now in its fourth year.
Starmer, along with Germany’s Chancellor Friedrich Merz and France’s President Emmanuel Macron, expressed cautious hope after Wednesday’s online discussions. Trump warned Russia could face “serious consequences” if Putin dismisses peace efforts.
- Zelenskiy Meets UK PM Starmer Ahead of Trump-Putin Alaska Summit
- Ukraine, UK Unite on Security Before High-Stakes U.S.-Russia Talks
- Starmer Pledges £2.26B Loan to Ukraine in Pre-Summit Meeting
Starmer was clear: “No one should redraw borders by force.” He stressed the need for solid security guarantees to ensure lasting peace, amid fears that Trump might push for a deal that could involve Ukraine giving up territory. The UK, France, and Germany, calling themselves a “coalition of the willing,” are united in supporting Ukraine’s right to its land.
In their talks, Zelenskiy and Starmer discussed ways to strengthen Ukraine’s defenses. The UK pledged a £2.26 billion loan, funded by frozen Russian assets, to help Ukraine’s military. Zelenskiy called the meeting “really productive,” focusing on securing strong commitments and finding a fair end to the war.
Also Read: North Korea Calls South Korea's Peace Efforts a 'Pipedream'
But some Ukrainians aren’t optimistic. Oleksandra Kozlova, a Kyiv resident, told Reuters, “I don’t think this will solve everything,” reflecting exhaustion after years of stalled talks. Meanwhile, Russian attacks injured people in Ukraine’s Sumy and Kherson regions, and a Ukrainian drone struck a Russian oil refinery in Volgograd. With a European summit on Ukraine’s security set for Sunday, Starmer’s warm welcome to Zelenskiy sends a clear message: Europe stands firmly with Kyiv as U.S. policy under Trump remains uncertain.
