Defiant Volodymyr Zelensky insists he WON’T step down in wake of disastrous meeting with Donald Trump but claims he would resign if Ukraine is given NATO membership

A defiant Volodymyr Zelensky has insisted that he won’t step down in the wake of the disastrous Oval Office meeting with US President Donald Trump.

But Mr Zelensky claimed he is ‘exchangeable’ for Ukrainian membership of NATO, and suggested he was ready to sign a minerals deal with the US.

Speaking to reporters at Stansted Airport before he left the UK, the Ukrainian president was asked if he could stand down in the event his country becomes a Nato member.

‘I am exchangeable for NATO,’ he was reported to have said in Ukrainian, via a translator.

Speaking to reporters at Stansted Airport before he left the UK, the Ukrainian president was asked if could stand down in the event his country becomes a Nato member

Mr Zelensky added: ‘I have said that I am exchanging for Nato membership, then it means I have fulfilled my mission. NATO means I have fulfilled my mission’

Mr Zelensky added: ‘I have said that I am exchanging for Nato membership, then it means I have fulfilled my mission. NATO means I have fulfilled my mission.’

He also told reporters Ukraine was ‘ready to sign it’, when asked about the minerals deal with America that was put on hold after his stormy meeting with Donald Trump.

This comes after European leaders scrambled to forge a Ukraine strategy at a crisis summit today following the extraordinary White House bust-up between Mr Trump and Mr Zelensky.

European powers must realise it is ‘time to act’ as they stand at a ‘crossroads in history’, Sir Keir Starmer said following the summit.

After embracing Zelensky on the steps of Lancaster House in London, the PM told him ‘we are all with you’ and urged the gathering to step up to a ‘once in a generation moment’.

Emmanuel Macron and Giorgia Meloni were present as Britain, France and Italy look set to take key roles in a ‘coalition of the willing’ to enforce any peace deal with Russia.

The leaders – also including Germany, Canada, Poland, Denmark and Sweden – are expected to signal a ramping up of defence spending. 

Zelensky tonight said that the peace summit in London ‘was dedicated to Ukraine and our shared European future’.

Keir Starmer embraced Volodymyr Zelensky on the steps of Lancaster House in London as they try to repair alliances in the wake of the debacle

Front row, left to right: Finland’s President Alexander Stubb, France’s President Emmanuel Macron, Keir Starmer, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Poland’s PM Donald Tusk. Centre row from left: Spain’s PM Pedro Sánchez, Denmark’s PM Mette Frederiksen, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, EU Council President Antonio Costa, Canada’s PM Justin Trudeau and Romania’s interim President Ilie Bolojan. Back row from left: Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte, Netherlands PM Dick Schoof, Sweden’s PM Ulf Kristersson. Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Norway’s PM Jonas Gahr Store, Czech Republic’s PM Petr Fiala, Italy’s PM Giorgia Meloni and Turkey’s foreign Minister Hakan Fidan. 

The PM told the gathering they must step up to a ‘once in a generation moment’

Speaking after a crisis summit in London, Keir Starmer said the world was at a ‘crossroads in history’ and he wanted to forge a way forward to present to the US

‘We feel strong support for Ukraine, for our people – both soldiers and civilians, and our independence,’ he said in a tweet on X. 

The Ukrainian President added: ‘Together, we are working in Europe to establish a solid foundation for cooperation with the United States in pursuit of true peace and guaranteed security. Europe’s unity is at an exceptionally high level, one that has not been seen in a long time. 

‘We are discussing with our partners security guarantees and the conditions for a just peace for Ukraine. A series of important meetings and decisions are being prepared for the near future. 

‘I am grateful to all our friends and partners for their efforts in bringing about a stable and guaranteed peace in Ukraine. Joint strength can protect our future.’

Meanwhile, Sir Keir unveiled a four-step plan discussed by leaders at the meeting, including a pledge to ‘develop a coalition of the willing’ to defend a deal in Ukraine and guarantee a peace settlement.

The Prime Minister announced a £1.6 billion finance deal which will allow Ukraine to buy more than 5,000 missiles, following the gathering at Lancaster House.

Sir Keir told the press conference that ‘every nation must contribute’ in the best way it can and a number of ‘important steps’ were agreed.

He said: ‘First, we will keep the military aid flowing and keep increasing the economic pressure on Russia to strengthen Ukraine now.

‘Second, we agreed that any lasting peace must ensure Ukraine’s sovereignty and security, and Ukraine must be at the table.

Zelensky and the King were smiling as they shook hands and posed for pictures outside the royal estate, with Charles patting the Ukrainian’s arm during the greeting

‘Third, in the event of a peace deal, we will keep boosting Ukraine’s own defensive capabilities to deter any future invasion.

‘Fourth, we will go further to develop a coalition of the willing to defend a deal in Ukraine and to guarantee the peace.

‘Not every nation will feel able to contribute but that can’t mean that we sit back. Instead, those willing will intensify planning now with real urgency. The UK is prepared to back this with boots on the ground and planes in the air, together with others. Europe must do the heavy lifting.’

Zelensky also met with King Charles after the summit, with his helicopter touching down at Sandringham at around 5.25pm today.

Both were pictured smiling side-by-side as they shook hands. Charles was even seen patting Zelensky’s arm as they posed for pictures outside the estate. 

‘The president was warmly received, and the meeting lasted just under an hour’, the Palace said after the meeting. 

A helicopter could be seen departing the Sandringham estate in Norfolk at 6.35pm, following the meeting between the King and Mr Zelensky.

This is a breaking news story. More to follow.