Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky shake hands during a bilateral meeting at 10 Downing Street ahead of a summit of European leaders, March 1, 2025 in London, Britain. [Photo/Agencies]
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the UK will always stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes during his meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at Downing Street on Saturday afternoon, according to a UK government spokesperson.
Starmer restated his determination to finding a path that ends the conflict and ensures a just and lasting peace that secures Ukraine's future sovereignty and security, BBC reported.
"The leaders looked forward to continuing these discussions at tomorrow's leaders' summit in London," the spokesperson said.
Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves signs a document of defence lend for Ukraine on the day she holds a video conference meeting with Ukraine's Finance Minister Sergii Marchenko, as British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stand, in London, Britain, March 1, 2025. [Photo/Agencies]
The UK and Ukraine signed a loan agreement worth £2.26 billion ($2.84 billion) to support Ukraine's defence capabilities on Saturday, which London called a sign of "our unwavering and ongoing support for the Ukrainian people."
The two countries' finance ministers, Rachel Reeves and Sergii Marchenko, signed the loan at a virtual ceremony as Starmer met Zelensky in London. It is to be paid back with the profits of immobilized sovereign Russian assets.
Starmer will host a summit of European leaders on Sunday on the conflict and wider European defence.
Zelensky thanked Starmer for the support the UK has shown to Ukraine since the start of the war and confirms he will be meeting with King Charles III on Sunday.
Zelensky arrived in the UK on Saturday morning, after his meeting with US President Donald Trump on Friday in the White House turned into a row between the two leaders over Russia-Ukraine conflict.
He was asked to leave the White House early, with the planned minerals deal between the two sides unsigned.
Agencies contributed to this story.
