LONDON — British Prime Minister Keir Starmer welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to 10 Downing Street on Saturday, embracing him and reaffirming the United Kingdom’s steadfast support for Ukraine, just a day after Zelenskyy's heated exchange with U.S. President Donald Trump in the Oval Office.

As Zelenskyy arrived, a crowd outside the prime minister’s residence cheered, reflecting the broad public and political backing for Ukraine in the UK. Starmer greeted the Ukrainian leader with a hug and ushered him inside.

“And as you heard from the cheers on the street outside, you have full backing across the United Kingdom,” Starmer told Zelenskyy. “We stand with you, with Ukraine, for as long as it may take.”

Zelenskyy expressed his gratitude, thanking Starmer and the British people for their continued support and friendship.

The meeting came in the wake of a dramatic diplomatic fallout in Washington, where Trump and Vice President JD Vance chastised Zelenskyy during a televised Oval Office meeting, accusing him of not showing enough gratitude for U.S. aid.

The confrontation ultimately derailed a deal that would have granted the U.S. access to Ukraine’s mineral resources as part of Trump’s push for a negotiated settlement to the war with Russia. Zelenskyy left Washington without signing any agreements.

Originally, Zelenskyy had been scheduled to meet with Starmer on Sunday ahead of a major European security summit. However, in light of the White House incident, the bilateral meeting was moved up.

On Sunday, Zelenskyy will meet with King Charles III before attending the summit at Lancaster House, a historic mansion near Buckingham Palace, where European leaders will discuss Ukraine’s defense and broader security measures for the continent. — Agencies