Prime Minister Stresses Support for Ukraine’s Elected Leadership and Criticises Trump’s Comments
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has strongly defended Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky after former US President Donald Trump referred to him as a “dictator”. The Labour leader, during a phone call with Zelensky, reaffirmed his commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and its democratically elected leadership, particularly emphasising the legitimacy of suspending elections during wartime, similar to the UK’s stance during World War II.
Trump had previously criticised Zelensky, suggesting that he had “done a terrible job” and claiming that the Ukrainian leader “refuses to have elections”. While Zelensky’s term was set to end in May 2024, elections have been suspended due to the ongoing war with Russia, following the imposition of martial law.
In response to Trump’s comments, Sir Keir expressed his belief that it was “perfectly reasonable” for Zelensky to pause elections during such a critical period. The Prime Minister, who is due to meet Trump in Washington next week, said the focus should be on preventing further Russian aggression in Ukraine and securing a lasting peace.
Further political tensions have arisen over potential military involvement in Ukraine. Sir Keir indicated that the UK could deploy British forces to assist in peacekeeping, contingent on US support. However, discussions are ongoing about how best to provide reassurance to Ukraine, with Western officials considering options such as airpower and intelligence support, rather than large-scale ground troops.
Trump’s rhetoric, which has been widely condemned by international leaders, including Swedish Prime Minister and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, has sparked broader debate about the role of Europe in the ongoing conflict. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch and Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey both voiced their criticisms of Trump’s claims, underscoring Zelensky’s democratic election and his resistance against Russian aggression.
Amidst these exchanges, Russia has expressed firm opposition to the idea of foreign peacekeeping forces in Ukraine, with Russia’s UK ambassador, Andrei Kelin, stating that Moscow would not accept the presence of foreign troops, even with US backing.
The situation continues to evolve as the war enters a critical phase, with Ukraine’s allies considering various ways to bolster its security while keeping diplomatic channels open for peace negotiations.
