Ukraine Gets Much-Needed Boost After Zelensky’s Clash With Donald Trump

The United Kingdom and Ukraine have signed a loan deal that will give the embattled Eastern European nation roughly $2.8 billion, with Britain looking to recoup costs through profits from frozen Russian assets.

Newsweek reached out to the British Foreign Office and U.S. State Department for comment by email on Saturday afternoon.

Why It Matters

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited Britain on Saturday following a high-profile meltdown in relations with the United States during a visit to the White House on Friday. Zelensky, President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance started openly arguing in front of reporters, leading to Zelensky departing the White House earlier than planned and without signing a much-touted rare earth minerals deal.

Trump had pushed to secure the deal ahead of any peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, saying the U.S. needed repayment on funds and weapons given to Kyiv since the start of Russia’s invasion in February 2022. The deal would give the U.S. access to mine Ukraine’s reserves, which are the biggest on the European continent.

The deal included no military security guarantees, and Trump administration officials, particularly Trump himself and U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, have said the deal creates economic security guarantees and effectively intertwines the economies of each country.

Zelensky during an interview after the incident indicated he will not apologize, and Trump said it would prove difficult to continue negotiations with the current dynamic. However, European leaders immediately backed Ukraine and Zelensky with messages of support on social media.

What To Know

British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer greeted Zelensky and embraced him in front of Downing Street on Saturday, then shook his hand in front of the prime minister’s offices in a very public display of closeness and support.

Starmer stressed his country’s support for Ukraine by telling him: “As you heard from the cheers on the street outside, you have full backing across the United Kingdom. We stand with you, with Ukraine, for as long as it may take.”

The prime minister then followed that up by signing a loan deal worth £2.2 billion (roughly $2.8 billion) and made clear that the U.K. will recoup the costs through future revenues received from frozen Russian assets, according to Ukraine’s finance minister.

The funds are part of a G7 program called the Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration for Ukraine mechanism, which is worth up to $50 billion.

The loan will have financing for 30 years and will be directed towards the production of weapons in Ukraine, Zelensky wrote on X, formerly Twitter. He also made sure to “thank the people and government of the United Kingdom for their tremendous support from the very beginning of this war.”

What People Are Saying

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on X: “London. A meaningful and warm meeting with Prime Minister [Keir Starmer]. During our talks, we discussed the challenges facing Ukraine and all of Europe, coordination with partners, concrete steps to strengthen Ukraine’s position, and ending the war with a just peace, along with robust security guarantees.”

He added: “A principled statement of support from the Prime Minister and an important decision: today, in our presence, Ukraine and the United Kingdom signed a Loan Agreement. This loan will enhance Ukraine’s defense capabilities and will be repaid using revenues from frozen Russian assets. The funds will be directed toward weapons production in Ukraine. This is true justice – the one who started the war must be the one to pay.

“I thank the people and government of the United Kingdom for their tremendous support from the very beginning of this war. We are happy to have such strategic partners and to share the same vision of what a secure future should look like for all.”

The British Treasury wrote in a statement on X: “The UK’s support for Ukraine is unwavering. Today [Rachel Reeves] and [Sergeii Marchenko] signed the UK-Ukraine Bilateral Agreement to deliver £2.26bn of new funding to Ukraine, part of a G7 scheme. This will be paid back using profits from sanctioned Russian sovereign assets.”

Ukrainian Finance Minister Sergii Marchenko said in a press release: “The United Kingdom continues to stand in defense of Ukraine. Today’s agreement, which contributes to strengthening Ukraine’s defense capabilities, confirms this. I am grateful to the UK Government for this support and personally to Rachel Reeves for her significant efforts that made this agreement possible.”

President Donald Trump on Friday wrote on Truth Social: “We had a very meaningful meeting in the White House today. Much was learned that could never be understood without conversation under such fire and pressure. It’s amazing what comes out through emotion, and I have determined that President Zelenskyy is not ready for Peace if America is involved, because he feels our involvement gives him a big advantage in negotiations. I don’t want advantage, I want PEACE. He disrespected the United States of America in its cherished Oval Office. He can come back when he is ready for Peace.”

What Happens Next?

Zelensky will follow up his visit to Downing Street with a visit to King Charles III on Sunday, likely to take place at Sandringham, the private country retreat for the king and queen, according to The Telegraph.