Starmer urges Zelenskyy to resume talks with Trump and US
Photo: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer (Getty Images)
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer advised Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to restore dialogue with US leader Donald Trump following their dispute at the White House, according to the Financial Times.
According to the publication, on the evening of Saturday, March 1, following his meeting with Zelenskyy, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron to update them on the latest developments. British officials stated that the discussions were "focused on moving forward."
According to one of Starmer's allies, the Prime Minister will make it clear to European leaders at the summit on March 2 that "only one negotiation is happening — and that is Trump's negotiations."
Another source noted that Starmer would tell European leaders they must back up their verbal support for Zelenskyy with actions: "Ukraine needs now is guns and butter. It doesn't need people tweeting and virtue signalling."
According to FT sources, Starmer urged Trump and Zelenskyy to finalize the minerals deal after the Friday conflict in the Oval Office.
British officials said that during the Saturday meeting, Starmer told Zelenskyy that he should first rebuild relations with Trump and that any peace would not be lasting if it is not guaranteed by the US.
"The prime minister's priority is to do whatever it takes to defend Ukraine. That means the US has to be involved," said one of Starmer's associates. He also added, that Starmer has urged Trump and Zelenskyy to finalise a deal to allow the US to share some of Ukraine's mineral wealth.
Dispute between Zelenskyy and Trump
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited Washington on February 28, where he met with President Donald Trump.
During the meeting at the White House, a dispute arose between Zelenskyy, Trump, and US Vice President Jay D. Vance concerning the war in Ukraine.
Later, Zelenskyy left the White House early, and Trump subsequently accused the Ukrainian president of being allegedly unwilling to pursue peace.
After the US, Zelenskyy traveled to London. He met with Prime Minister Keir Starmer. A summit on Ukraine will be held in London on March 2.
For more details about the Zelenskyy-Trump meeting, please refer to the RBC-Ukraine article.
