PM's mess can't be undone by a week of diplomatic wins

BY throwing his arms around Volodymyr Zelensky while keeping the White House on side, Keir Starmer has shown admirable leadership.

- Sam Lister

The Prime Minister was, rightly, absolutely crystal-clear that Britain will not abandon Ukraine despite his new found, and unlikely, bromance with Donald Trump.

After the appalling scenes in the Oval Office, where the US president's nauseating humiliation of a war hero horrified most Britons, the symbolism of hugging Zelensky close before sending him off for an audience with the King was clear for all.

Zelensky was “moved” by the cheering crowds who turned out for him at the weekend.

Starmer made a point of saying the Ukrainian president personally has the UK's “unwavering support” after claims he must quit to make Trump happy.

But the Prime Minister insisted the UK “will never choose” between either side of the Atlantic as he maintains relations with Washington. Both Starmer and Zelensky's Oval Office appearances highlight just how dramatically international diplomacy has been turned on its head.