UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has expressed strong support for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, following former US President Donald Trump's recent "dictator" comments, which suggested that Zelensky was taking advantage of Western support to consolidate his power in Ukraine, sparking international controversy.
Starmer said, “Volodymyr Zelensky is fighting for democracy, and we stand with him in his efforts to defend the freedoms of the Ukrainian people.” He also noted that Ukraine’s struggle against Russian aggression will continue and the UK will continue to support it.
Trump, the Republican nominee for the upcoming US presidential election, recently expressed skepticism about the Ukraine war and Zelensky's leadership in an interview. He claimed that the additional Western aid to Ukraine was "unreasonable" and was further consolidating the power of the Ukrainian leader, which could pose a challenge to the democratic system.
Starmer's comments made clear Britain's position that it would stand by Ukraine and support Zelensky's leadership in a wartime situation. He added, "We must stand united against Russian aggression and continue our support for Ukraine."
Global analysts believe Trump's comments could influence future US policy on the Ukraine war, especially if he is re-elected. But the UK and its European allies have made it clear that they are committed to supporting Ukraine.
