How UK Prime Minister persuaded Zelenskyy to extend “olive branch” to Trump

The Telegraph writes that on Monday evening, Starmer received a direct call from Trump, who delivered the shocking news: the U.S. was pausing all military aid to Ukraine. The decision followed a disastrous Oval Office meeting between Trump and Zelenskyy, after which tensions escalated into a public spat.

Starmer’s advance warning gave him a crucial head start in coordinating Europe’s response to what quickly became the most serious fracture in the Western alliance since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Europe’s response and UK’s role

With aid halted, Starmer and his team faced three immediate challenges:

1. Convince Trump that a negotiated deal with Ukraine was still possible.
2. Rally European allies to maintain unity and collective pressure on both Washington and Kyiv.
3. Persuade Zelenskyy to soften his stance, show willingness to compromise, and publicly commit to Trump’s proposed peace process.

Starmer convened urgent calls with European leaders, while Foreign Secretary David Lammy led separate discussions with France, Germany, Poland, Spain, and Italy. Despite the UK no longer being an EU member, its role as a diplomatic coordinator was crucial, especially as Brussels announced plans for a new €150 billion military aid package.

The personal and political divide

The dispute between Trump and Zelenskyy was never just about military aid — it had become personal. Trump allies accused Zelenskyy of refusing to engage seriously with the peace plan, while hardliners in Trump’s camp argued that Ukraine and even the EU should be left to fend for themselves.

Within the UK government, there was growing frustration with how Zelenskyy handled his U.S. visit, particularly his failure to secure Trump’s confidence during their meeting. However, Starmer understood that isolating Ukraine would only deepen the crisis, and he remained focused on repairing the relationship.

Starmer’s direct diplomacy with Zelenskyy

The turning point came during a direct call between Starmer and Zelenskyy on Tuesday. Starmer pressed Zelenskyy to acknowledge missteps during the Oval Office meeting and to publicly signal readiness to work with Trump on the proposed critical minerals-for-peace deal.

Shortly after their conversation, Zelenskyy posted a carefully worded statement on social media, expressing regret over the failed Washington meeting and committing to constructive future dialogue. Though it stopped short of a full apology, British diplomats saw it as a critical step toward reopening negotiations.

Uncertain path forward

Despite these efforts, doubts remained. UK officials admitted there was no guarantee Trump would soften his stance, with insiders estimating only a 50% chance of reviving the peace process. Still, Starmer’s rapid intervention had at least kept the door open — for now.

• Keir Starmer has called on Europe to take the lead in supporting Ukraine, stressing that Europe must "do the heavy lifting" to secure peace. However, he also highlighted the need for U.S. backing to ensure a durable peace.