Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has highlighted a crucial issue necessary to prevent a wider conflict with Russia, while issuing a warning to his democratic allies.

Zelensky arrived in London earlier than expected after a tense visit to the US, where he faced criticism from Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance. On Sunday, he will attend a key summit with European leaders, including representatives from France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

In a statement upon landing in London, Zelensky emphasized the importance of security guarantees, stating, "Peace can only come when we know we have security guarantees, when our army is strong, and our partners are with us."

His remarks followed a heated exchange at the White House, where Vice President Vance accused him of failing to express sufficient gratitude for US military aid. Addressing this, Zelensky reiterated his appreciation for American support and stressed its importance in achieving peace.

"We want peace. That’s why I visited the United States and met with President Trump. The mineral deal is just the first step toward securing guarantees and bringing us closer to peace. Our situation is challenging, but stopping the fight without assurance that Putin won’t return tomorrow isn’t an option," he stated.

As global leaders continue to back Ukraine following the White House confrontation, Zelensky reaffirmed the critical role of US support in ensuring his country’s victory over Russia.

He went on: "It will be difficult without the US support. But we can't lose our will, our freedom, or our people. We've seen how Russians came to our homes and killed many people.

"Nobody wants another wave of occupation. If we cannot be accepted to Nato, we need some clear structure of security guarantees from our allies in the US. Europe is ready for contingencies and to help fund our large army. We also need the US role in defining security guarantees - what kind, what volume, and when."