News now:Politics Crunch Ukraine gathering at Downing Street rocked by tense White House exchange….

Tensions ran high as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Downing Street, but the gathering was overshadowed by a tense exchange with the White House. The meeting, which marked Zelenskyy’s first official visit to Downing Street, was intended to strengthen UK-Ukraine ties and discuss strategies to counter Russia’s aggression ¹.

However, the atmosphere was strained due to a disagreement between the UK and US governments over their approaches to supporting Ukraine. The White House reportedly expressed concerns that the UK’s efforts to disrupt Russia’s “shadow fleet” could escalate tensions and undermine international cooperation.

Despite the tension, Prime Minister Starmer reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to Ukraine, stating that his country would continue to spearhead international efforts to crack down on Russia’s illicit activities. The UK has already taken robust action to restrict Russian revenues, including imposing severe sanctions and targeting oil tankers that transport Russian oil ¹.

The meeting also saw the signing of a Defence Export Support Treaty between the UK and Ukraine, which will enable Ukraine to access £3.5 billion of export finance to support its armed forces. This treaty is expected to bolster Ukraine’s defense capabilities and strengthen its partnership with the UK ¹.

As the situation in Ukraine continues to unfold, the international community remains divided on the best course of action. The tense exchange between the UK and US governments serves as a reminder of the complexities and challenges involved in addressing this crisis.