Volodymyr Zelensky has praised Britain’s ‘resolve’ to support his country in defeating Russia as he arrived at Blenheim Palace today for a meeting of European political leaders.
The Ukrainian President is using the European Political Community summit at the grandiose residence near Oxford to call for Europe to stay united in support of Kyiv during what he said is a ‘tough period’ for his country.
He will sit down for talks with around 45 European leaders before holding separate talks with Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and is also expected to have an audience with the King.
The war leader was pictured embracing Britain’s new PM as he arrived, and told reporters: ‘I count on his support because really the UK demonstrated leadership from the very beginning of Russian attacks.’
His praise for the UK and call for continued military support comes as it emerged today that Germany’s aid to Ukraine will be cut to €4billion (£3.3bn) in 2025 from around €8bn in 2024, according to a draft of next year’s budget.
Berlin has said it hopes that Ukraine will be able to meet the majority of its military needs with the $50billion (£38bn) in loans from the proceeds of frozen Russian assets.
‘Ukraine’s financing is secured for the foreseeable future thanks to European instruments and the G7 loans,’ German finance minister Christian Lindner yesterday.
Nevertheless, the cut in funds by its second biggest donor will be a blow to Kyiv, particularly as it faces the prospect of a drop in American support if Donald Trump re-enters the White House in November.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is among those meeting with the Ukrainian leader today.
Zelensky said ahead of today’s meeting: ‘For us it’s very important to maintain unity in Europe because always this unity leads to strong decisions.’
Welcoming the ongoing support from Britain, he earlier wrote on X: ‘Since the first days of the full-scale invasion, the UK has been one step ahead in its determination to support Ukraine. This is the kind of resolve we need to stop Russian terror.’
‘We will sign an intergovernmental agreement on support for the Ukrainian defence and industrial complex, discuss future defense cooperation, and expand our defense capabilities,’ Zelensky also wrote on X about his visit to the UK.
It comes after Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban – who is attending the UK meeting – upset his EU counterparts by meeting Russia’s President Vladimir Putin.
Orban visited Moscow on July 5 as part of what he described as a ‘peace mission’ over the war in Ukraine that also involved visits to Kyiv, Beijing and former US president Trump.
‘If someone in Europe tries to resolve issues behind others backs or even at the expense of someone else, if someone wants to make some trips to the capital of war to talk and perhaps promise something against our common interests or at the expense of Ukraine or other countries, then why should we consider such a person?’ Zelensky said.
‘The EU and NATO can also address all their issues without this one individual.’
As he arrived at Blenheim, Orban told reporters in English when asked about his message to Ukraine: ‘We are with you.’
But he added: ‘It is impossible to find a solution in the battlefield. Solution is not in the battlefield.’