The United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer has backed Volodymyr Zelensky as a “democratically elected leader” after Donald Trump described the Ukrainian president as a “dictator”.
Keir called Zelensky and told him it was “perfectly reasonable” for Ukraine to “suspend elections during wartime as the UK did during World War Two”, Downing Street said.
In his phone call with Zelensky, Keir “stressed the need for everyone to work together”, a Downing Street spokesperson said.
“The prime minister reiterated his support for the US-led efforts to get a lasting peace in Ukraine that deterred Russia from any future aggression,” they added.
Zelensky said they had discussed “upcoming plans and opportunities”, adding: “UK’s support matters indeed, and we will never forget the respect the British people have shown for Ukraine and our citizens.”
There has been widespread criticism of Trump’s comments around the world – including from Sweden’s prime minister as well as German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who said it was “simply wrong and dangerous”.
The US president had earlier criticised Zelensky, saying he had done a “terrible job” and claiming “he refuses to have elections” in Ukraine.
Zelensky’s five-year term was due to end in May 2024, but elections have been suspended since martial law was declared after Russia’s invasion.
Keir will travel to Washington DC next week for his first in-person meeting with Trump.
The PM has said he wants to use his meeting next week to discuss a “US backstop” that he says is necessary to deter Russia from attacking Ukraine again.
