Starmer backs Zelensky amid Trump ‘dictator’ remarks

PRIME MINISTER Sir Keir Starmer has reaffirmed his support for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, describing him as a “democratically elected leader” after former US President Donald Trump branded him a “dictator”.

Sir Keir spoke with Zelensky on Wednesday evening, assuring him that it was “perfectly reasonable” for Ukraine to suspend elections during wartime, as the UK had done during the Second World War, according to Downing Street.

Trump had earlier launched a scathing attack on Zelensky, accusing him of doing a “terrible job” and claiming he “refuses to have elections”. Ukraine’s presidential elections, originally scheduled for May 2024, have been postponed since martial law was imposed following Russia’s invasion.

Upcoming diplomatic talks
Sir Keir is set to visit Washington, DC, next week for his first face-to-face meeting with Trump since taking office. The prime minister has stated that he intends to discuss a potential “US backstop” to deter further Russian aggression against Ukraine.

However, the growing tensions between the US and Ukraine have heightened political risks for Starmer, particularly as he has indicated a willingness to deploy British troops as part of a broader peace deal—contingent on a US security guarantee.

Western officials have suggested that any deployment would involve fewer than 30,000 personnel, primarily aimed at providing reassurance to the Ukrainian people rather than forming a peacekeeping force.

During his conversation with Zelensky, Sir Keir “stressed the need for everyone to work together”, according to a Downing Street spokesperson. “The prime minister reiterated his support for the US-led efforts to secure a lasting peace in Ukraine that would deter Russia from any future aggression.”

Zelensky later commented on their discussion, stating that they had explored “upcoming plans and opportunities”. He expressed gratitude for Britain’s continued support, saying: “The UK’s support matters indeed, and we will never forget the respect the British people have shown for Ukraine and our citizens.”

International Criticism of Trump’s Remarks
Trump’s comments have been widely condemned by leaders across the world, including Sweden’s Prime Minister and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who described them as “simply wrong and dangerous”.

Former US Vice-President Mike Pence also voiced his disapproval, writing on X (formerly Twitter): “Mr President, Ukraine did not ‘start’ this war. Russia launched an unprovoked and brutal invasion claiming hundreds of thousands of lives.”

UK Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch acknowledged Trump’s stance, arguing that “he is right that Europe needs to pull its weight”. She urged Starmer to “get on a plane to Washington and show some leadership”.

Meanwhile, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey insisted that calling Zelensky a dictator “must be where the line is drawn”, adding: “I hope the whole political spectrum will speak with one voice in opposition to Trump’s lies.”

Plans for a security presence in Ukraine
Western officials have reportedly begun preliminary discussions on establishing a security presence in Ukraine. Rather than deploying troops to the country’s eastern regions, the plan would involve drones and intelligence-gathering aircraft monitoring key infrastructure, cities, and ports. This strategy is part of wider efforts to restore safe international airspace over Ukraine and secure the Black Sea.

There is also speculation that any US security guarantee would rely more on airpower than ground forces, with military aircraft likely stationed in neighbouring countries such as Poland and Romania. Additionally, larger land forces may be based in nations bordering Ukraine as part of the security framework.

However, Russia has rejected the notion of foreign peacekeeping forces in Ukraine. Moscow’s ambassador to the UK, Andrei Kelin, told BBC Newsnight that his government would not accept UK or European troops on Ukrainian soil, even if Trump were to approve such a measure.

Tensions between US and Ukraine grow
Trump’s attacks on Zelensky follow the Ukrainian president’s accusation that the former US leader is trapped in a “bubble” of Russian disinformation. Meanwhile, diplomatic relations between the US and Russia have recently strengthened, with officials from both nations meeting in Saudi Arabia to discuss potential negotiations to end the war—talks from which Ukraine and European leaders were notably excluded.