A highly controversial meeting between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy took place in the Oval Office on 28 February 2025, which created global tensions. Meanwhile UK emerged as strong supporter of Ukraine when the discussion turned confrontational as Trump accused Zelenskyy of “gambling with World War III” and suggested that the US might withdraw its support unless a deal was reached.

Why does the UK back him?

The UK has engaged in global conflicts since the Cold War, sparking both praise and criticism. Its foreign policy balances “saving the world” and “projecting power,” making it more active than many allies. Britain’s values-driven approach, shaped by its imperial past and UN Security Council role, keeps it deeply involved in global affairs.

The UK’s View on Russia

Throughout the Cold War, Britain’s military, intelligence agencies, and diplomats focused heavily on countering Russia and the Soviet Union. Although Russia remains unfamiliar to most Britons today, it is still seen as a longstanding adversary. This perception was reinforced by the 2018 Salisbury poisoning, which not only claimed a British life but also posed a serious threat to a British city. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has further cemented its status as an enemy in the eyes of many in the UK.

How the UK’s Stand on Ukraine Shapes Its Global Image

The UK’s close ties with Ukraine could also benefit Britain’s relationships with Central and Eastern European countries in the future. Additionally, Britain is likely to play a key role in Ukraine’s reconstruction, further strengthening its influence in the region.

The UK has consistently viewed Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as a direct threat to European security and its own national interests. As a result, Britain has emerged as one of Ukraine’s most steadfast allies, providing military, economic, and humanitarian support. The UK’s commitment to Ukraine is evident in its multi-faceted assistance programs.

Breakdown of the UK’s Commitment to Ukraine

Military Support

The UK has committed £7.8 billion in military aid since the invasion began.
£4.5 billion has been allocated in 2025 alone to support Ukraine’s defense.
A sustained £3 billion annual military aid commitment extends until at least 2030.
The UK has supplied tanks, drones, air defense systems, and ammunition through various aid packages.
30,000 attack and surveillance drones are being delivered via a UK-Latvia coalition.
Operation INTERFLEX has trained over 51,000 Ukrainian troops, with further training planned for 2025.
A new Gravehawk air defense system is being deployed in Ukraine to bolster its defenses.

Non-Military Support

£5 billion has been allocated for non-military assistance, including economic stability measures.
£4.1 billion has been provided through World Bank loan guarantees to support Ukraine’s economy.
An additional £282 million has been designated for humanitarian, energy, and reconstruction efforts.
The £38 million Good Governance Fund aims to counter corruption and support governance reforms.

Humanitarian Aid

Since the war began, the UK has provided £477 million in humanitarian support.
In December 2024, £15 million was allocated to assist vulnerable populations during winter.
£8.6 million has been spent on demining operations, with further clearance efforts planned for 2025.

Reconstruction and Recovery

The London Ukraine Recovery Conference (2023) raised over $60 billion for rebuilding efforts.
UK Export Finance has issued over £500 million to support infrastructure projects in Ukraine.
The UK is financing insurance mechanisms for war-risk investments to attract private sector involvement.

Energy Assistance

The UK has committed £400 million to energy security and grid resilience in Ukraine.
£84 million has been contributed to the Ukraine Energy Support Fund for infrastructure repairs.
£181 million has been allocated to finance nuclear fuel supplies to reduce Ukraine’s dependence on Russia.

Sanctions Against Russia

Since 2022, the UK has sanctioned over 2,200 Russian individuals and entities.
Russian revenue losses due to UK, US, and EU sanctions exceed $450 billion.
UK sanctions have targeted oil tankers, defense suppliers, and Putin’s inner circle.

War Crimes and Justice Initiatives

The UK has pledged £4.5 million to support Ukraine’s domestic war crimes investigations.
An additional £2.3 million has been provided to the International Criminal Court.
The UK plays a leading role in international efforts to hold Russia accountable for war crimes.

Trade and Economic Partnerships

The UK-Ukraine Digital Trade Agreement ensures duty-free digital trade between the two nations.
The UK-Ukraine Free Trade and Strategic Partnership Agreement secures tariff-free trade until 2029.
Initiatives such as the City-Ukraine Hub and UK-Ukraine TechBridge facilitate investment and trade.

Support for Ukrainian Refugees in the UK

As of December 2024, 219,400 Ukrainians had arrived in the UK.
The Homes for Ukraine scheme has helped 160,500 refugees settle in Britain.
A new Ukraine Permission Extension (UPE) scheme launched in February 2025 grants refugees an additional 18 months of residency and work rights.

Zelenskyy’s Political Journey

Born into a Ukrainian Jewish family, Volodymyr Zelenskyy grew up as a native Russian speaker in Kryvyi Rih, a major city in central Ukraine. Although he obtained a law degree, he pursued a career in comedy and entertainment, founding the production company Kvartal 95. He gained national fame by starring in the TV series Servant of the People (2015-2019), where he played a fictional Ukrainian president.

Zelenskyy leveraged this popularity to launch his political career, formally announcing his 2019 presidential candidacy on December 31, 2018. As a political outsider, he secured a landslide victory with 73.23% of the vote, the largest margin in Ukrainian history.

As president, Zelenskyy has positioned himself as an anti-corruption and pro-democracy leader. His administration has lifted legal immunity for MPs, promoted e-government, and pushed for unity between Ukrainian- and Russian-speaking communities.

Who Supports Zelenskyy’s Political Campaign?

During his first year in office, Zelenskyy made 321 promises, including those from his election campaign. However, his vague campaign messaging has allowed him to frame small policy advancements as major victories.

By May 2020, support for Zelenskyy dropped to half of its election levels.
42.6% of voters maintained their support, while others grew skeptical of his leadership.
A July 2020 poll by the Razumkov Center found that Zelenskyy’s approval rating had fallen to 25%, and support for his party had dropped to 20.5%.

His declining popularity has been linked to growing concerns over political persecution of opposition leaders, activists, and military personnel. His disappearance from social media, after using it extensively during his campaign, also disappointed the public.

Zelenskyy’s Role in International Affairs

Under former President Petro Poroshenko, Ukraine’s EU and NATO membership goals took center stage in global diplomacy. However, Zelenskyy’s approach has been less aggressive, leading to concerns that Ukraine’s international standing is weakening.

For instance, Ukraine failed to support Canada’s bid for a UN Security Council seat, despite earlier promises. Canada lost by a one-vote margin, highlighting a diplomatic misstep that may strain relations. Such unpredictability risks damaging Ukraine’s long-term diplomatic ties.

Conclusion

The UK’s unwavering support for Ukraine underscores its commitment to European security, democratic values, and long-term geopolitical stability. Britain’s aid spans across military, economic, humanitarian, and diplomatic spheres, reinforcing Ukraine’s resistance against Russian aggression. However, challenges remain as Zelenskyy navigates domestic political hurdles and international diplomatic pressures. As the war continues, Ukraine’s ability to maintain global alliances will be crucial in determining its future stability and sovereignty.