Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is set to meet European leaders at a high-stakes summit in London on Sunday, just days after a heated exchange with U.S. President Donald Trump sent shockwaves through Western alliances and clouded the future of the Russia-Ukraine war.

Zelensky arrived in Britain on Saturday and was welcomed at Downing Street by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Both leaders signed an agreement to fast-track $2.8 billion in loans to Ukraine, with the first tranche expected next week. The summit, convened by Starmer, aims to solidify European support for Ukraine amid growing geopolitical tensions.

King Charles has also extended an invitation to meet Zelensky, further underscoring the significance of the visit.

Tensions escalated after Friday’s Oval Office confrontation, where Trump and his ally JD Vance accused Zelensky of ingratitude for American military aid and warned against escalating the war. The clash shocked European allies and disrupted diplomatic progress made earlier in the week.

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Before the fallout, Starmer had secured a rare shift in Trump’s stance, with the former U.S. president retracting claims that Zelensky was a “dictator” and even acknowledging the possibility of Ukraine reclaiming occupied territories. However, the dramatic confrontation has left European leaders scrambling to reset the agenda.

As Sunday’s summit approaches, Zelensky stressed the need for U.S. backing, reaffirming Ukraine’s commitment to ending the war while ensuring its sovereignty.

“It’s crucial for us to have President Trump’s support,” he stated. “We’ve been fighting for three years, and the Ukrainian people need to know that America is on our side.”

The London talks are expected to be pivotal in shaping Ukraine’s next steps, with European leaders facing the tough task of rebuilding diplomatic momentum amid uncertainty in Washington.

Reported by CNN