Volodymyr Zelenskyy has arrived at Downing Street for crisis talks with Sir Keir Starmer following his fiery Oval Office exchange with Donald Trump.
Mr Zelenskyy smiled as he was greeted by Sir Keir with a handshake and a hug.
The pair spoke briefly, before Mr Zelenskyy waved at reporters and gave a thumbs up. They then shook hands as they posed for pictures outside the door of No 10.
Ukraine latest: Zelenskyy to meet King Charles tomorrow
As the pair sat down inside, Sir Keir told Mr Zelenskyy: “You have full backing across the United Kingdom and we stand with you, with Ukraine, for as long as it may take.”
“I hope you heard some of that cheering in the street,” he continued. “That is the people of the United Kingdom coming out to demonstrate how much they support you, how much they support Ukraine, and our absolute determination to stand with you – unwavering determination – and to achieve what we both want to achieve, which is a lasting peace.
Sir Keir added: “A lasting peace for Ukraine based on sovereignty and security for Ukraine – so important for Ukraine, so important for Europe and so important for the United Kingdom.
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“So I’m much looking forward to our discussions here this afternoon – thank you very much for making the time to come.”
Mr Zelenskyy replied that he was “happy to be here”.
“I want to thank you, the people of the United Kingdom and the King,” he said, noting he will be meeting Charles on this visit.
“We count on your support,” he continued. “We’re really happy we have such partners and such friends.”
Both the Ukrainian president and the British prime minister visited the White House this week – but the two meetings had very different outcomes.
Sir Keir won Mr Trump over in the Oval Office on Thursday as he presented the US president with a letter from the King, inviting him to the UK for an historic second state visit. But Mr Zelenskyy’s meeting in the same room – just 24 hours later – descended in a fiery shouting match.
After the clash, Mr Zelenskyy left the White House early and the rest of the day’s engagements were hastily cancelled.
His plane, emblazoned with the Ukrainian flag, touched own at London’s Stansted airport and was met by a convoy of cars this morning. Mr Zelenskyy will meet with the King on Sunday.
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