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    Keir Starmer breaks silence on Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky clash

    Sir Keir Starmer has broken his silence and responded to the unprecedented Oval Office clash between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky.The prime minister was asked about Friday’s clash (28 February), which saw the US President and Vice President JD Vance erupt at the Ukrainian President, telling him he was “disrespectful”, when he appeared on BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme.Sir Keir said: “I was in my office, and nobody wants to see that. Later that day, I then picked up the phone to President Trump, and I picked up the phone to President Zelensky, because, to my mind, focus has to be a lasting peace in Ukraine.”He added: “Look, nobody wants to see that.” More

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    Volodymyr Zelensky appears emotional as he meets Keir Starmer after Donald Trump clash

    Sir Keir Starmer offered some words of reassurance to Volodymyy Zelensky as the two leaders met at Downing Street, telling him “You have full backing across the United Kingdom”.Speaking inside Number 10 on Saturday (1 March), the Prime Minister told the Ukrainian President: “Let me just say that you’re very, very welcome here in Downing Street.“And as you heard from the cheers on the street outside, you have full backing across the United Kingdom, and we stand with you, with Ukraine, for as long as it may take.”The meeting followed Mr Zelensky’s explosive Oval Office clash with US President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance on Friday (28 February), where he was accused of being “disrespectful”. More

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    Volodymyr Zelensky greeted with warm hug from Keir Starmer outside Downing Street after Donald Trump showdown

    Sir Keir Starmer walked along Downing Street before embracing Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky with a warm hug as he arrived for talks with the prime minister.Sir Keir met Mr Zelensky at Downing Street on Saturday afternoon (1 March), before hosting a defence summit of European leaders on Sunday.The King will also meet with the Ukrainian leader on Sunday as part of his visit to Britain.Mr Zelensky has arrived in the UK after an unprecedented public clash with US President Donald Trump and his vice president JD Vance in the White House’s Oval Office on Friday. More

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    Watch live view of Downing Street as Zelensky meets Starmer after Oval Office showdown with Trump

    Your support helps us to tell the storyFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.Read moreWatch a live view of Downing Street as Volodymyr Zelensky meets Sir Keir Starmer following the Ukrainian president’s explosive Oval Office showdown with Donald Trump.Mr Zelensky arrived at London Stansted Airport on Saturday (1 March) following a disastrous meeting with the US President in Washington on Friday.Mr Zelensky left the White House after a meeting collapsed when JD Vance accused him of having “disrespected” the US.The Ukrainian president said Mr Trump wants the war to end “but no one wants peace more than we do” as he prepares to meet Sir Keir Starmer at Downing Street on Saturday.Mr Zelensky said it was important he and Mr Trump were “honest and direct with each other to truly understand our shared goals” after he refused to apologised over his extraordinary exchange with Mr Trump and vice president JD Vance in the Oval Office.European leaders have flocked Mr Zelensky’s defence, with Sir Keir expressing his “unwavering support” for Ukraine after speaking to both leaders. More

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    Marco Rubio claims Zelensky’s off-camera actions warrant Trump apology after Oval Office clash

    Marco Rubio has claimed Volodymyr Zelensky’s off-camera actions warrant an apology to Donald Trump following their Oval Office clash.Mr Zelensky left the White House on Friday (28 February) after a meeting collapsed when Vice President JD Vance accused him of having “disrespected” the US.As European leaders flocked to the defence of Mr Zelensky after Trump and JD Vance unleashed the shocking attack during critical White House talks, the Secretary of State hinted that the Ukraine president owes Trump an apology.In an interview with CNN, Mr Rubio suggested Mr Zelensky’s behaviour leading up to the clash had been unacceptable. More

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    ‘The free world needs a new leader’, EU foreign chief warns after explosive row between Trump and Zelensky

    Your support helps us to tell the storyFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.Read more“The free world needs a new leader”, the EU’s foreign policy chief has warned, hitting back at Donald Trump after his explosive Oval Office clash with Volodymyr Zelensky. EU leaders threw their weight behind the Ukrainian president on Friday evening after the shocking confrontation between the two leaders, which saw Mr Trump claim Mr Zelensky is not “ready for peace”, as well as accusing him of “gambling with world war three”.But Kaja Kallas, the EU high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, went one step further, suggesting that Mr Trump is no longer fit to lead the free world. Kaja Kallas said President Trump was no longer fit to lead the free world after his clash with Mr Zelensky More

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    Zelensky flooded with messages of support from world leaders after Trump meeting: ‘Their fight is our fight’

    Your support helps us to tell the storyFrom reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it’s investigating the financials of Elon Musk’s pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, ‘The A Word’, which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.Your support makes all the difference.Read moreUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s social media site was flooded with moving messages of support from leaders around the world, including the U.S., after he was mocked and yelled at by President Donald Trump Friday in a meeting in the Oval Office.Trump, the draft dodger who got out of the Vietnam War with a reportedly faked bone spurs excuse, taunted the war president’s black sweater and pants (similar to Elon Musk’s Oval Office attire), and informed Zelensky that his country was in “big trouble” before the sit down imploded into a shouting match and was terminated.Trump said later on Truth Social that Zelensky had “disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office.”Former Republican Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney quickly shot back on X after the shocking meeting: “Generations of American patriots, from our revolution onward, have fought for the principles Zelenskyy is risking his life to defend.”Donald Trump and JD Vance “attacked Zelenskyy and pressured him to surrender the freedom of his people to the KGB war criminal who invaded Ukraine. History will remember this day — when an American President and Vice President abandoned all we stand for,” she added.Zelensky was quickly supported in posts on X by the leaders of France, Sweden, Germany, Ireland, Finland, Denmark, The Netherlands, Austria, Luxembourg, Slovenia, Canada, Croatia, Romania, Poland, the Czech Republic and Portugal, among other nations.Zelensky responded to each: “Thank you for your support.”“Russia illegally and unjustifiably invaded Ukraine,” wrote Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in a post to Zelensky after the meeting debacle. “For three years now, Ukrainians have fought with courage and resilience. Their fight for democracy, freedom, and sovereignty is a fight that matters to us all.”Russia illegally and unjustifiably invaded Ukraine. For three years now, Ukrainians have fought with courage and resilience. Their fight for democracy, freedom, and sovereignty is a fight that matters to us all.Canada will continue to stand with Ukraine and…— Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) February 28, 2025 “The security of Ukraine is crucial for the security of Europe. We all need to stand together to fight for our values, freedom, and peace,” wrote Acting Romania President Ilie Bolojan. “We stand united with @ZelenskyyUa and Ukraine in our fight for freedom. Always. Because it is right, not easy,” posted Estonia Prime Minister Kristen Michal. We stand united with @ZelenskyyUa and Ukraine in our fight for freedom. Always. Because it is right, not easy. 🇪🇪🇺🇦— Kristen Michal (@KristenMichalPM) February 28, 2025 “Slovenia upholds the principles and respect of international law and international relations. What we witnessed in the Oval Office today undermines these values and the foundations of diplomacy,” wrote Slovenia President Nataša Pirc Musar. “We stand firmly in support of Ukraine’s sovereignty. We repeat, Russia is the aggressor.” “We stand behind Ukraine and the Ukrainian people in their historic fight to defend themselves against an unprovoked Russian aggression. Their fight is our fight. United we are strong,” posted Belgium’s Prime Minister Bart De Wever.We stand behind Ukraine and the Ukrainian people in their historic fight to defend themselves against an unprovoked Russian aggression. Their fight is our fight. United we are strong. 🇺🇦— Bart De Wever (@Bart_DeWever) February 28, 2025 “The Netherlands supports Ukraine as firmly as ever. Now more than ever,” wrote Netherland Prime Minister Dick Schoof. “We want a lasting peace and an end to the war of aggression started by Russia. For Ukraine and its people, and for Europe.”Robert Metsola, president of the European Parliament, wrote: “Your dignity honors the bravery of the Ukrainian people. Be strong, be brave, be fearless. You are never alone, dear President Zelensky. More

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    Donald Trump issues warning to Volodymyr Zelensky after explosive Oval Office row

    Donald Trump has issued a warning to Volodymyr Zelensky following their explosive Oval Office row.As he departed the White House for Mar-a-Lago Friday evening (28 February), the US President said the Ukrainian President “overplayed his hand” during the contentious Oval Office meeting earlier in the day.Speaking to reporters on the White House South Lawn, Trump said he wants an “immediate” ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine and warned Zelenskyy to make peace or lose U.S. support.“He’s got he’s got to say, ‘I want to make peace.’ He doesn’t have to stand there and say about Putin, this, Putin, that. all negative things,” Trump said. More