Ukraine signs £2.26 billion loan deal with UK ‘to make weapons’ after Trump-Zelenskyy fallout

Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer greets Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy

The United Kingdom and Ukraine unveiled a landmark £2.26 billion ($2.84 billion) loan settlement geared toward bolstering Ukraine’s defence capabilities.
The settlement, introduced on Saturday, is structured to be repaid utilizing income from immobilised Russian sovereign property, as reported by AFP. During a digital ceremony, finance ministers of the 2 nations, Rachel Reeves and Sergii Marchenko finalised the loan settlement while Prime Minister Keir Starmer held discussions with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in London.
Zelenskyy, who was welcomed warmly by Starmer at Downing Street, described the deal as “true justice. The one who started the war must be the one to pay.”
The loan is claimed to primarily fund weapons manufacturing inside Ukraine, a transfer that aligns with Kyiv’s broader efforts to boost its home arms trade whereas sustaining its navy resistance towards Russian forces.
Starmer reaffirmed the UK’s unwavering assist for Ukraine, emphasizing the significance of European solidarity in guaranteeing safety throughout the continent. “In partnership with our allies, we must intensify our preparations for the European element of security guarantees alongside continued discussions with the United States,” he mentioned.
The loan settlement comes at a pivotal second, simply forward of an emergency summit in London the place European and Canadian leaders will focus on methods to maintain Ukraine’s struggle effort and broader European safety. Attendees will embrace Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, with discussions anticipated to deal with Europe’s want to boost defence cooperation independently of the United States.
The deal follows a turbulent diplomatic blowout in Washington, the place Zelenskyy and US President Donald Trump engaged in a heated trade over Ukraine’s willingness to barter peace. Additionally, Trump’s new stance—in search of direct dialogue with Russian President Vladimir Putin whereas pressuring Ukraine to simply accept a truce—has sparked anxiousness amongst European allies.
Nevertheless, Zelenskyy careworn the significance of securing US assist, stating, “It’s crucial for us to have President Trump’s backing. He wants to end the war, but no one wants peace more than we do.”