00:41British Prime Minister Kier Starmer promised Volodymyr Zelensky that Ukraine would see 'no reduction in support' from the UK under the new Labour government on Wednesday as the PM attended his first international summit less than a week after taking office.
Footage shows the two leaders hugging before sitting down for an informal meeting on the margins of the NATO Summit in Washington DC.
“It’s very good to see you in person as prime minister. I’ve seen you as leader of the opposition, especially as leader of the opposition, but to come here as prime minister is really important to me,” Starmer said
“We are very thankful for your words and steps, which were important. Thank you that you are with us from the very beginning of the war," Zelensky responded.
It comes after Starmer reportedly affirmed that British-supplied Storm Shadow missiles could be used by Kiev for 'defensive purposes' while speaking to journalists during his flight to Washington, signalling the weapons may be used to strike targets within Russian territory.
Zelensky welcomed the move in a post on X, formerly Twitter, “this morning I learned about the permission to use Storm Shadow missiles against military targets in Russian territory,” he wrote.
"Today, we had the opportunity to discuss the practical implementation of this decision. I'm grateful to the UK for its unwavering support for Ukraine and our people," the message added.
Starmer is scheduled to meet with US President Joe Biden at the White House later in the day, where he is expected to discuss Britain’s ongoing support for Ukraine and its future NATO defence spending commitments.
The 75th NATO Summit in DC began on Tuesday and continues until July 11. According to media reports, Kiev is expected to be told it is 'too corrupt' to join the alliance at the current time, while there is also set to be opposition to Stoltenberg's plan for a 'multi-year' military funding package for Ukraine - widely seen as a way to negate the impact of a potential Trump presidency.
Ukraine has repeatedly called for additional military funding while Russia has accused NATO of escalating the conflict - and has also blamed alliance expansionism for triggering the crisis, which NATO and Kiev have denied.
'No reduction in support' - PM Starmer meets Zelenksy as UK greenlights Storm Shadow missiles for Ukraine
British Prime Minister Kier Starmer promised Volodymyr Zelensky that Ukraine would see 'no reduction in support' from the UK under the new Labour government on Wednesday as the PM attended his first international summit less than a week after taking office.
Footage shows the two leaders hugging before sitting down for an informal meeting on the margins of the NATO Summit in Washington DC.
“It’s very good to see you in person as prime minister. I’ve seen you as leader of the opposition, especially as leader of the opposition, but to come here as prime minister is really important to me,” Starmer said
“We are very thankful for your words and steps, which were important. Thank you that you are with us from the very beginning of the war," Zelensky responded.
It comes after Starmer reportedly affirmed that British-supplied Storm Shadow missiles could be used by Kiev for 'defensive purposes' while speaking to journalists during his flight to Washington, signalling the weapons may be used to strike targets within Russian territory.
Zelensky welcomed the move in a post on X, formerly Twitter, “this morning I learned about the permission to use Storm Shadow missiles against military targets in Russian territory,” he wrote.
"Today, we had the opportunity to discuss the practical implementation of this decision. I'm grateful to the UK for its unwavering support for Ukraine and our people," the message added.
Starmer is scheduled to meet with US President Joe Biden at the White House later in the day, where he is expected to discuss Britain’s ongoing support for Ukraine and its future NATO defence spending commitments.
The 75th NATO Summit in DC began on Tuesday and continues until July 11. According to media reports, Kiev is expected to be told it is 'too corrupt' to join the alliance at the current time, while there is also set to be opposition to Stoltenberg's plan for a 'multi-year' military funding package for Ukraine - widely seen as a way to negate the impact of a potential Trump presidency.
Ukraine has repeatedly called for additional military funding while Russia has accused NATO of escalating the conflict - and has also blamed alliance expansionism for triggering the crisis, which NATO and Kiev have denied.
British Prime Minister Kier Starmer promised Volodymyr Zelensky that Ukraine would see 'no reduction in support' from the UK under the new Labour government on Wednesday as the PM attended his first international summit less than a week after taking office.
Footage shows the two leaders hugging before sitting down for an informal meeting on the margins of the NATO Summit in Washington DC.
“It’s very good to see you in person as prime minister. I’ve seen you as leader of the opposition, especially as leader of the opposition, but to come here as prime minister is really important to me,” Starmer said
“We are very thankful for your words and steps, which were important. Thank you that you are with us from the very beginning of the war," Zelensky responded.
It comes after Starmer reportedly affirmed that British-supplied Storm Shadow missiles could be used by Kiev for 'defensive purposes' while speaking to journalists during his flight to Washington, signalling the weapons may be used to strike targets within Russian territory.
Zelensky welcomed the move in a post on X, formerly Twitter, “this morning I learned about the permission to use Storm Shadow missiles against military targets in Russian territory,” he wrote.
"Today, we had the opportunity to discuss the practical implementation of this decision. I'm grateful to the UK for its unwavering support for Ukraine and our people," the message added.
Starmer is scheduled to meet with US President Joe Biden at the White House later in the day, where he is expected to discuss Britain’s ongoing support for Ukraine and its future NATO defence spending commitments.
The 75th NATO Summit in DC began on Tuesday and continues until July 11. According to media reports, Kiev is expected to be told it is 'too corrupt' to join the alliance at the current time, while there is also set to be opposition to Stoltenberg's plan for a 'multi-year' military funding package for Ukraine - widely seen as a way to negate the impact of a potential Trump presidency.
Ukraine has repeatedly called for additional military funding while Russia has accused NATO of escalating the conflict - and has also blamed alliance expansionism for triggering the crisis, which NATO and Kiev have denied.