The world political scene seems to have been in almost automatic turmoil since the election of Trump on Wednesday as the new leader of the United States of America, or as the world calls it, “planetary”. So many countries think in the last days with a logic “save your clothes, have half of them”.

The disorderly political situation that prevails was shown, for example, by the dissolution of the German government – on the very day that the result of the American elections was announced – while Ukraine seems to want to clarify its relations with the rest of Europe, pushing hard for additional military aid.

But states have begun to look out for their own economic stability and often seem unable or unwilling to cope with Kiev’s demands. And just like that, the United Kingdom also enters the plan.

An exclusive article by the British Guardian newspaper today hosts statements by a top Ukrainian official in Zelensky’s inner circle. The title of the article is characteristic: “Ukraine-UK relations have worsened under Labour, says Kiev official”.

“It doesn’t make sense for him to come as a tourist”

The main reason for the tensions is one: Britain’s long-range Storm Shadow missiles and London’s inability to provide additional such equipment to Ukraine. It is recalled that, in general, Ukraine has repeatedly emphasized to European states such as Britain, Germany and France to allow them to use the heavy military equipment of these countries, in deeper targets on Russian soil. But the Western powers argue that doing so would mean their direct involvement in the Russia-Ukraine war, which would have grave consequences.

Thus, the “green” light has not been given, with Kiev arguing that Russian troops are advancing to the east of the country at the fastest pace since 2022, which is why the need to use such military equipment is intensifying. As the Ukrainian official typically comments, “Starmer is not giving us long-range weapons. The situation is not the same as when Rishi Sunak was the Prime Minister. The relationship has gotten worse.”

Not even a visit

At the same time, Starmer’s decision not to visit Ukraine during his four months in office is another point of friction between the two countries. At this point, the official makes another comparison with former British Prime Minister Sunak, stressing that he had visited the country since the first month he took office. Specifically, and as he mentions, “the two sides have been trying since August to arrange the visit, but Starmer keeps postponing the trip.” Of course, as he comments, “there is no point in him coming as a tourist”, stressing that “the visit will be useless if Starmer does not commit to replenishing the stocks of the sought-after Storm Shadow long-range system”.

Answer from London

But Zelensky’s irritation did not go unanswered by the British government. According to a Number 10 spokesman, in the Guardian, “the British prime minister’s first decisions were to maintain the £3 billion a year aid to Ukraine, while Starmer has met Zelensky six times”, with the most recent meeting being last Thursday, on the sidelines of the Summit of the European political community in Budapest.

There, the British prime minister stressed that the UK’s support for Ukraine is “unwavering” and knows that it “needs to be stepped up”. For his part, President Zelensky uploaded on the X platform a photo of himself with Prime Minister Starmer with a caption that, among other things, reminds that, “an important element of the Victory Plan is for Ukraine to be supplied with long-range weapons and to be given permission to use them on targets located on Russian soil.”

Is he waiting for a signal from Washington?

According to the analyses, Ukraine’s biggest fear after Trump’s victory is that the United States will cut or cut military aid to Ukraine and force Kiev into a humiliating peace deal with Russia. And all this, while Kiev leaves suspicions that Starmer is not taking strategic initiatives, waiting for the green light from Washington.

Britain is the third largest donor of military equipment after the United States and Germany and a total of 12.8 billion pounds has been given since 2022, of which 5 is for economic and humanitarian aid and 7.8 for military.