UK PM Keir Starmer announces USD 2 billion package for Ukraine to help in buying missiles

Keir Starmer announced a loan of  2.2 billion British pounds ($2.8 billion) to support Ukraine, just days after US President Donald Trump was engaged in a fiery spat with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the Oval Office.

The British PM also highlighted a new deal that would allow Ukraine to use 1.6 billion pounds ($2 billion) in export finance to buy missiles made in Northern Ireland, NBC News reported.

“We have to learn from the mistakes of the past,” Keir Starmer was quoted as saying by NBC News.

“We cannot accept a weak deal like Minsk, which Russia can break with ease. Instead any deal must be backed with strength. Every nation must contribute to that in the best way that it can," he said.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer chaired a crucial meeting with European leaders to discuss Ukraine.

"Today, I hosted counterparts from across Europe including Türkiye, as well as the NATO Secretary General and the Presidents of the EU Commission, EU Council and Canada, in London to discuss our support for Ukraine," Keir Starmer said in a statement.

"We will work with President Trump to ensure a strong, just, and lasting peace that ensures Ukraine’s future sovereignty and security. Ukraine must be able to deter and defend itself against future Russian attack. There must be no talks on Ukraine without Ukraine," the PM said.

He further said: "We have agreed that the UK, France and others will work with Ukraine on a plan to stop the fighting which we will discuss further with the US and take forward together."

The PM said several participating nations expressed readiness to contribute to Ukraine’s security.

"We also agreed that Ukraine must have robust security arrangements in place at the time of any future peace deal so that Russia does not invade again.  We will accelerate plans to build up Ukraine’s own armed forces and border defences after any deal, and ensure that Ukraine can draw on munitions, finance and equipment to defend itself," Starmer said.

Following the meeting, Zelenskyy wrote on X: "I am grateful to all our friends and partners for their efforts in bringing about a stable and guaranteed peace in Ukraine. Joint strength can protect our future."

Zelenskyy meets King Charles III

After the Summit, Zelenskyy, who was received warmly by Starmer after he arrived in the UK, met King Charles III.

Sharing an image of the meeting with the King, Zelenskyy said: "I am grateful to His Majesty King Charles III for the audience."

The Ukrainian leader reached the UK after completing his visit to the USA where he was engaged in tough talks with Vice President JD Vance and President Trump.

He visited the White House to sign a deal with the US President to grant the US access to rare earths and other critical minerals in Ukraine after the war with Russia ended.

Fiery Friday

According to video footage of the press appearance going viral, Zelenskyy was caught in a verbal spat with Trump and US Vice President JD Vance.

While Vance accused Zelenskyy of being "disrespectful", Trump said he is "gambling with World War Three".

President Zelenskyy responded in equal measure, saying, "We are in our own country, and we have stayed strong all this time. We have even thanked you for it (your support)".

While Zelenskyy left the meeting after the heated exchange, Trump said the Ukraine president can come back to the White House “when he is ready for peace.”