Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to meet European leaders at a crucial summit in London on Sunday, following a heated confrontation with former U.S. President Donald Trump in the Oval Office that left Western allies rattled and cast fresh uncertainty over the future of the Russia-Ukraine war.
Zelensky received a warm welcome from British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Saturday—an experience that stood in stark contrast to his tense encounter at the White House. He also confirmed that King Charles has accepted an invitation to meet with him on Sunday.
Beyond diplomatic courtesies, however, Sunday’s summit carries significant weight. Western leaders hope to reignite momentum toward a viable peace agreement, a process that had been making gradual progress before Friday’s explosive exchange derailed it.
Speaking to the BBC on Sunday morning, Starmer revealed plans to collaborate with France, Ukraine, and possibly other allies on a strategy to end the fighting—a plan he intends to present to the U.S. administration. This initiative appears to challenge the separate negotiations Trump’s team recently opened with Russia, highlighting the growing difficulty of bringing Trump and Zelensky to the same negotiating table.
Despite the diplomatic turbulence, Zelensky will return to Kyiv with concrete support. On Saturday, he and Starmer signed an agreement to fast-track $2.8 billion in loans to Ukraine, with the first tranche set for release next week, according to the UK government. In a Telegram post, Zelensky stated that the funds would be directed toward domestic weapons production, emphasizing that “the one who started the war should pay.” He also noted that the loan would strengthen Ukraine’s defense capabilities.
The earlier spectacle of the U.S. president and vice president publicly reprimanding the leader of a war-torn ally shocked European leaders and played directly into the Kremlin’s hands. It has intensified the stakes of Sunday’s summit, originally convened by Starmer to build on progress made during last week’s meeting in Paris.
Trump and JD Vance accused Zelensky of being ungrateful for American military aid, recklessly endangering millions of lives, and risking “World War III” by continuing Ukraine’s resistance against Russia’s invasion.
For Europe, the dramatic confrontation embodied its worst fears. “Nobody wants to see that,” Starmer told the BBC on Sunday.
Just a day before the heated confrontation, a diplomatic Keir Starmer had managed to coax Trump into reversing some of his earlier false claims—walking back his characterization of Zelensky as a “dictator,” expressing “respect” for Ukraine’s leader, and even entertaining the idea that Ukraine could reclaim occupied territory in a potential ceasefire deal. These remarks marked a significant shift for Trump and seemed to set the stage for a productive visit by Zelensky.
Now, Europe finds itself back at square one.
“Three years on from Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine, we are at a turning point,” Starmer said in a statement ahead of the London summit. “Today, I will reaffirm my unwavering support for Ukraine and double down on my commitment to provide capacity, training, and aid, putting Ukraine in the strongest possible position.”
He emphasized the need for allied unity, stating, “In partnership with our allies, we must intensify our preparations for the European element of security guarantees, alongside continued discussions with the United States. Now is the time for us to unite to ensure the best outcome for Ukraine, protect European security, and secure our collective future.”
According to Downing Street, the summit will focus on three key objectives: addressing Ukraine’s immediate needs, negotiating a “lasting deal” to end the conflict, and developing “strong security guarantees” for the country’s future.
As European leaders rushed to reaffirm their support for Zelensky on Friday evening, Starmer remained noticeably silent. Hours later, the reason became clear—Downing Street confirmed that he had spoken with both Trump and Zelensky following their explosive exchange. “He retains his unwavering support for Ukraine and is playing his part in finding a path toward lasting peace, based on sovereignty and security for Ukraine,” a spokesperson for Starmer said.
Starmer has embraced the role of intermediary between Europe and Washington, even when the effort appears fruitless. As the London summit unfolds, he will be hoping for tangible progress, but the atmosphere is growing increasingly tense.
Ukrainian MP Yaroslav Zhelezniak captured the mounting frustration, writing on Telegram ahead of the summit: “If you thought the situation would somehow miraculously improve today… don’t count on it.”
