UK Prime Minister Pledges Support for Zelensky Amid Trump Criticism

According to a statement issued by the British government late Tuesday, Burnham will welcome Zelensky to his official residence at Downing Street and stress that Britain’s support for Ukraine remains “rock-solid”.

The meeting comes at a time of growing pressure on Zelensky from Trump, who has recently called for a change in Ukraine’s leadership and eased restrictions on Russian diesel exports. Uncertainty has also surrounded an energy ceasefire announced by Trump, with the Kremlin yet to clearly confirm its position on the proposed arrangement.

The British government said Zelensky’s visit reflects London’s decision to strengthen its backing for Ukraine. Burnham has instructed ministers to prepare additional sanctions, military assistance and financial support measures to help Kyiv in the coming weeks. Britain will also speed up the delivery of vital air defence missiles, the statement added.

“My message to the Ukrainian people could not be clearer, we are with you for as long as it takes,” Burnham said, pledging to expand and accelerate British assistance in support of Ukraine’s efforts to secure peace in Europe.

Trump sparked confusion on Sunday after announcing on social media that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to halt long-range attacks on power plants and oil refineries. However, Zelensky said on Monday that Moscow had not accepted the proposed truce and accused Russian forces of striking six energy facilities that day.

Russia has also appeared unwilling to accept Zelensky’s proposal for a 60-day ceasefire to allow elections in Ukraine. Both Moscow and Washington have called for elections, although the ongoing war has complicated the country’s political circumstances.

Tensions Between Washington and Kyiv

Trump has repeatedly blamed Zelensky for obstructing efforts to end the war, while arguing that Russian President Vladimir Putin is strongly interested in reaching a settlement. Putin has been in power since 1999, while Zelensky was elected president in 2019 and has led Ukraine since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022.

The war has caused hundreds of thousands of deaths, according to the report, and continues to pose a major security challenge for Europe. On Saturday, Trump publicly urged Ukraine to “get a new leader”, further intensifying concerns among Kyiv’s Western partners.

European allies, including Britain, have supported efforts to suspend attacks on energy infrastructure as the conflict approaches its fifth winter. However, Trump’s decision to ease restrictions allowing Russian diesel exports has drawn criticism from allies concerned about the impact on Moscow’s finances and the wider conflict.

Energy prices have risen sharply amid the US war with Iran, experts say. Trump, however, has sought to link the increases to Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries, adding another point of disagreement between Washington and Kyiv’s supporters.

Speaking at the Warsaw Security Forum on Tuesday, British Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband described the past several days as “very difficult” for relations between the United States and Ukraine’s allies.

European governments remain concerned that Trump could adopt a softer approach towards Moscow and negotiate an agreement over Ukraine without adequately involving Kyiv and its European partners.