In a stark rebuke to Donald Trump’s recent tirade, Sir Keir Starmer has stepped forward in defence of Ukraine’s democratically elected leader, Volodymyr Zelensky. Following Trump’s baseless claims that Zelensky is a “dictator” without elections, Starmer made it clear that the UK stands firmly behind Ukraine’s leader in the face of disinformation.
On Wednesday evening, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak spoke with President Zelensky, offering solidarity and reiterating that suspending elections during wartime is entirely reasonable, citing the UK’s own suspension of elections during World War Two as precedent. The conversation came after Trump’s scathing remarks on his social media platform, TruthSocial, where he suggested Ukraine should hold elections immediately, despite the ongoing conflict with Russia.
The Trump Outburst
Trump’s social media post was a venomous attack on Zelensky, falsely claiming that Ukraine had started the war with Russia and that Zelensky’s approval rating was a mere 4%. In response, Zelensky swiftly dismissed Trump’s statements as rooted in “disinformation,” but the damage was done. The US president also labelled Zelensky a dictator, a claim that many UK politicians, including Starmer, were quick to challenge.
Zelensky, who was elected in May 2019, had his 2024 elections postponed due to martial law following the Russian invasion. But as Starmer and other UK leaders point out, this is a temporary measure during a period of war. The UK’s own history proves such actions are not unprecedented. Between 1935 and 1945, the UK too suspended its general elections due to the outbreak of war.
UK’s Response: A Unified Stand
In response to Trump’s remarks, Starmer reinforced the UK’s unwavering support for Ukraine. During a call with President Zelensky, the Prime Minister expressed his belief that suspending elections was a perfectly valid decision in times of war. The support from Downing Street was echoed by other UK figures. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch reaffirmed Zelensky’s legitimacy as Ukraine’s elected leader, while Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey called for a united front in opposition to Trump’s claims.
Meanwhile, former Prime Minister Boris Johnson suggested that Trump’s comments were designed more to provoke a reaction than to make any factual statement, urging European leaders to take action in the face of these provocative remarks.
Looking Ahead
As the Prime Minister prepares to meet Trump in Washington next week, balancing the UK’s support for Ukraine with the need to manage relations with the new US administration will be a delicate task. With ongoing peace talks between the US and Russia, there are concerns that the voices of those directly involved in the conflict, such as Zelensky and Ukraine itself, could be sidelined in favour of political negotiations that leave them out of the decision-making process.
In a show of diplomatic unity, Starmer attended a European leaders’ summit in Paris, reiterating the stance that “no decisions about Ukraine without Ukraine.” His firm opposition to any peace agreement that excludes Ukraine’s input aligns with his broader call for stronger international security guarantees to ensure Ukraine’s future stability.
Conclusion
Trump’s unfounded attack on President Zelensky has sparked widespread condemnation, not just from British political figures but across the political spectrum. As the situation in Ukraine remains dire, it’s clear that leaders like Zelensky need strong international backing, not divisive rhetoric that undermines Ukraine’s sovereignty.
