Starmer backs Zelenskyy after Trump calls Ukrainian president 'dictator'
What's the story
United States President Donald Trump has intensified his attacks on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, calling him a "dictator without elections."
This comes as Trump is pressuring Ukraine to accept a peace deal with Russia, which the US is negotiating without Ukraine's involvement.
He accused Zelenskyy of misusing US aid given by former President Joe Biden and implied Ukraine shares blame for the war started by Russia's 2022 invasion.
Support expressed
UK Prime Minister supports Zelensky amid Trump's criticism
Responding to Trump's accusations, United Kingdom Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has voiced support for Zelenskyy, calling him Ukraine's democratically elected leader.
He argued that it is "perfectly reasonable to suspend elections during war time as the UK did during World War Two," a Downing Street spokesperson said.
International leaders like German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles have also defended Zelensky's democratic legitimacy amid the backlash against Trump's comments.
Peace negotiations
Trump's administration pursues peace talks, excludes Ukraine
Zelensky was elected president of Ukraine in May 2019.
Elections were scheduled for 2024, however they were canceled due to martial law being in place.
"He refuses to have elections, he's slow. And the real Ukrainian polls, I mean, how can you be high when every city is being demolished?" Trump said at a Miami summit.
"Every city is being demolished. They look like a demolition site.... in the meantime, we're successfully negotiating an end to the war with Russia."
Counterclaim
Zelensky counters Trump's claims, accuses him of disinformation
Countering Trump, Zelenskyy said the US President was living in a "disinformation space."
Other British political figures have also refuted Trump's remarks.
The development comes as US and Russian officials meet in Saudi Arabia to negotiate an end to the war.
Starmer intends to visit Washington for talks with Trump on Ukraine and European security, his first meeting with Trump since his inauguration as US president.