Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has expressed her sympathy for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky following his tense encounter with U.S. President Donald Trump in the Oval Office.
Speaking on the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg program, Badenoch described the incident as deeply troubling, saying, “Honestly, my heart went out to President Zelensky. I watched it and I couldn’t believe what was happening—he was being humiliated.”
Badenoch emphasized the importance of conducting sensitive diplomatic discussions away from the public eye, stating, “I don’t think we should conduct these sorts of difficult conversations in front of the cameras.” She also praised Zelensky, calling him a hero who embodies the strength and resilience of the Ukrainian people.
However, she stopped short of calling the encounter an ambush, instead attributing the clash to both leaders pursuing their respective national interests. “I think that both parties are working for their respective national interest, and they seem to be speaking at cross-purposes,” she said.
The controversy stemmed from a heated exchange during Zelensky’s visit to the White House, where Trump and Vice President JD Vance launched a verbal attack on the Ukrainian leader.
Trump accused Zelensky of being ungrateful for U.S. military and political support, while Vance claimed Zelensky’s remarks about Russian President Vladimir Putin were “disrespectful.” Trump also falsely asserted that Ukraine had started the war with Russia, a claim that has been widely debunked.
Badenoch, who previously served as trade secretary, noted the challenges of language barriers in high-stakes negotiations. “I think sometimes having English as a second language is not necessarily helpful,” she said, recalling her own experiences working with Eastern European countries during trade talks. “Most of the eastern European countries had an interpreter there,” she added.
The Conservative leader also addressed the broader implications of the U.S.-Ukraine rift for NATO and European security. She warned that without a strong American security guarantee within NATO, European nations would need to significantly increase their defense spending.
“If we don’t have an American security guarantee within NATO, if we lose them, we’re going to be spending a hell of a lot more,” she said. “We need to make sure that America does not disengage. It is in their interest for peace now. If we all get dragged into an escalation, America will get dragged into it eventually.”
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who also appeared on the program, outlined his efforts to secure a lasting peace in Ukraine. He stressed the importance of a strong Ukraine, European security guarantees, and a U.S. backstop to prevent future aggression from Russia.
What I am clear about is that if there is to be a deal, if there is to be a stopping of the fighting, then that agreement has to be defended,” Starmer said. “The worst of all outcomes is that there is a temporary pause and then Putin comes again.”
Starmer’s three-part plan for peace includes ensuring Ukraine remains strong enough to defend itself, securing European security guarantees, and maintaining U.S. support as a backstop. “That’s the package,” he said. “All three parts need to be in place, and that’s what I’m working hard to bring together.”
As the war in Ukraine continues, the incident in the Oval Office has highlighted the fragile nature of international diplomacy and the challenges of maintaining unity among allies. With leaders like Badenoch and Starmer advocating for stronger NATO ties and a lasting peace, the path forward remains fraught with complexity and uncertainty.
