Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch sas has said her “heart went out” to Volodymyr Zelensky following his clash with Donald Trump in the Oval Office. Speaking to the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme, she said: “Honestly, my heart went out to President Zelensky. I watched it and I couldn’t believe what was happening, he was being humiliated.
“I don’t think we should conduct these sorts of difficult conversations in front of the cameras and we have to remember that President Zelensky is a hero, he is the person who represents that strength and resilience of the Ukrainian people.” She added: “I don’t think it was an ambush, I think that both parties are working for their respective national interest, and they seem to be speaking at cross-purposes.
“I think sometimes having English as a second language is not necessarily helpful. During all the trade negotiations I had as trade secretary, most of the eastern European countries had an interpreter there.”
She was responding after US President Donald Trump and his vice president JD Vance launched a bizarre attack on Ukraine's wartime leader during a White House visit. They responded angrily after Mr Zelensky said Russian dictator Vladimir Putin could not be trusted and pointed out that Putin had broken previous peace agreements.
Mr Vance claimed the comment was "disrespectful" while Mr Trump told Zelensky he was not thankful enough for US military and political support, and bellowed that he was "gambling with World War Three".
Mr Trump had previously falsely claimed that Ukraine started the war that began when Russia launched an invasion of the eastern European country.
Ahead of today's European leaders’ summit chaired by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Ms Badenoch said: “If we don’t have an American security guarantee within Nato, if we lose them, we’re going to be spending a hell of a lot more (on defence).
“We need to make sure that America does not disengage, it is in their interest for peace now, if we all get dragged into an escalation, America will get dragged into it eventually.”
Earlier on the same TV show, Sir Keir Starmer said he is “working hard” to bring about three components of a lasting peace in Ukraine.
The Prime Minister said: “What I am clear about is that if there is to be a deal, if there is to be a stopping of the fighting, then that agreement has to be defended, because the worst of all outcomes is that there is a temporary pause and then Putin comes again.
“That has happened in the past, I think it is a real risk, and that is why we must ensure that if there’s a deal it is a lasting deal, not a temporary pause.”
A security guarantee from the Americans is the subject of “intense” discussion, Sir Keir said.
He added: “For me, the components of a lasting peace are a strong Ukraine to fight on, if necessary, to be in a position of strength; to negotiate a European element to security guarantees, and that’s why I’ve been forward-leaning on this about what we would do; and a US backstop.
“That’s the package, all three parts need to be in place, and that’s what I’m working hard to bring together.”
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