Zelenskyy to meet King Charles and European leaders in UK

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to meet with King Charles and European leaders at a critical summit in London on March 2, following a tense confrontation with US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office that has left Western allies reeling and cast uncertainty over the future of the Russia-Ukraine war.

Zelenskyy received a warm welcome from UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on March 1, a stark contrast to his reception at the White House, Caliber.Az reports via US media.

However, behind the pleasantries, a pivotal day of diplomacy awaits. The West hopes the summit will reignite momentum towards an acceptable peace deal, which had appeared promising earlier in the week before tensions flared on February 28. 

On March 2 morning, Starmer told the BBC that he will work with France, Ukraine, and possibly other nations to formulate a plan to halt the fighting, which he will then present to the US.

This strategy appears to challenge the negotiation efforts initiated by Trump’s administration with Russia last month, signaling a tacit acknowledgment that getting both Trump and Zelensky to the negotiating table together could prove difficult.

In a positive development for Ukraine, Zelenskyy returns to Kyiv with tangible results: on March 1, he and Starmer signed an agreement to accelerate $2.8 billion in loans to Ukraine. The first tranche of this funding is expected to be released next week, according to the UK government.

Zelenskyy confirmed on Telegram that the money will go toward enhancing Ukraine’s weapon production, emphasizing that "the one who started the war should pay." He further stated that the loan will bolster Ukraine's defense capabilities.

By Khagan Isayev