LONDON: Ukraine’s European allies, set to assemble in London on Sunday (Mar 2), rallied behind President Volodymyr Zelenskyy after Donald Trump threw him out of the White House and accused him of not being “prepared” for peace with Russia.
Surprised by Friday’s altercation within the Oval Workplace, which noticed Zelenskyy depart the White Home with out signing an anticipated mineral deal, European leaders rushed to his defence.
“You aren’t alone,” mentioned Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, recent off his personal go to to the White Home, mentioned he had spoken to each Trump and Zelenskyy, and vowed “unwavering assist” for Kyiv.
Zelenskyy wrote “thanks in your assist” in particular person replies on social media platform X to round 30 messages from European leaders.
Starmer and Zelenskyy will meet in London on Saturday afternoon forward of Sunday’s summit, the prime minister’s workplace mentioned.
On Sunday, representatives from greater than a dozen European international locations will convene within the British capital to give attention to shoring up assist for “securing a simply and enduring peace” in Ukraine, in response to Downing Road.
The gathering can even deal with the necessity for Europe to extend defence cooperation amid fears over whether or not the USA will proceed to assist NATO.
French President Emmanuel Macron has mentioned he is able to “open the dialogue” on a attainable future European nuclear deterrent, following a request from Germany’s subsequent chief, Friedrich Merz.
Merz has confused the necessity for the continent to maneuver shortly to “obtain independence” from the USA on defence issues.
Turkey, additionally invited, might be represented by International Minister Hakan Fidan, who spoke by telephone on Saturday along with his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov, concerning the Ukraine battle, a Turkish international ministry supply mentioned.
Turkey, which hosted negotiations between Russia and Ukraine in 2022, is able to reprise the position, however stays dedicated to “Ukraine’s territorial integrity”, the supply mentioned.
