UK PM reiterates support for Ukraine at meeting with Zelensky

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.

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.