Following the breakdown of global diplomacy witnessed at the White House on Friday, the focus has shifted to Downing Street.

After his early departure from the Oval Office, Volodymyr Zelenskyy has left Washington and headed to the UK for an urgent meeting with Sir Keir Starmer in preparation for Sunday’s summit with European leaders.

This event, which has been moved forward by a day due to concerns over the unprecedented fallout in the relationship between the US and Ukraine, brings Mr. Zelenskyy to Number 10 for a meeting with one of his staunchest allies, after the stern rebuke he received from Donald Trump and JD Vance.

Despite the verbal clashes, Mr. Zelenskyy stands firm, defending his stance with a detailed statement that emphasizes his gratitude for US support while calling for stronger security guarantees from the US to counter Vladimir Putin’s threats.

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has also expressed his readiness to discuss British involvement in a European peacekeeping force, provided the US offers a security guarantee to deter further Russian aggression.

This sudden shift has raised questions about Europe’s willingness to act independently of the US in supporting Ukraine, especially if American support wavers.

Mr. Zelenskyy’s stand comes after a night of reflection, following which he Maintains his stance with a detailed statement, reiterating the need for US security guarantees against Vladimir Putin. Despite the personal offense taken by Mr. Trump, the core issues and the Ukrainian president’s position remain unchanged.

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The summit with European leaders, now hosted by Sir Keir, could see a renewed push for support for Ukraine. With the US position in question, the European leaders may need to consider going it alone, a prospect that was once seen as financially and logistically unfeasible but now may be under serious consideration given the continent’s unified backing for Ukraine.

Sir Keir Starmer, whose recent visit to the White House seemed successful until overshadowed by the heated exchange, faces a test of his relationship with Mr. Trump. How will he balance his pursuit of European unity with US diplomacy, especially when the US stance on Ukraine remains uncertain?

It’s a delicate balancing act with significant implications for global diplomacy. It also challenges Europe’s capacity to act independently in matters of security, raising questions about the continent’s future role in the Ukrainian conflict and beyond.