During a gathering at Downing Street on Monday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky allegedly made a brief yet heartfelt remark regarding his efforts to bring the continuing conflict to a close, according to a lip reader’s interpretation as he greeted Sir Keir Starmer with a handshake.

The world leaders, amongst them French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, assembled to address the enduring crisis in Ukraine. Zelensky and Starmer’s encounter featured a swift embrace before transitioning into a handshake.

Expert lip reader Nicola Hickling told The Express that Zelensky appeared notably moved during his conversation with Starmer.

Starmer addressed Zelensky’s comments by stating, “We will get to the bottom of it at this meeting. I think it’s very important,” according to Hickling’s reading.

Hickling also indicated that Zelensky responded with, “Unlike in Washington,” possibly referencing his earlier exchanges with Trump, who has maintained troubled relationships with both Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin throughout the continuing conflict.

Based on Hickling’s analysis, Starmer promised Zelensky, “We’ll get a result.”

Zelensky then brought the discussion to a close with, “Let’s hope so.”

The Prime Minister has voiced steadfast support for Zelensky, stressing that Britain stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Ukraine.

“If there is to be a ceasefire, then it needs to be a just and lasting ceasefire; that is why it is so important we repeatedly set out the principle that matters about Ukraine are for Ukraine,” he declared.

“We stand here to support you in the conflict and support you in the negotiations.”

Trump’s mounting frustration

This encounter took place as Donald Trump’s eldest son revealed his father’s position on Ukraine peace talks, suggesting the issue carries minimal significance for ordinary Americans.

During an interview with Sky News at the Doha Forum 2025, Donald Trump Jr. hinted his father might potentially step back from Ukraine.

“I think he may. What’s good about my father and what’s unique about my father is you don’t know what he’s going to do. He’s unpredictable.”

Don Jr. outlined that his father is presently concentrating on the “war” against drug cartels, contending that suspected narco-terrorists trafficking illegal substances across the frontier pose a “far greater clear and present danger to the US than anything [going on] in the Ukraine or Russia.”

Whilst he doesn’t expect Ukraine to be “abandoned,” he observed, “The American public doesn’t have the appetite [for endless wars and further funding of Ukraine’s military efforts].”

Don Jr. described Ukraine as “a far more corrupt country than Russia,” and labelled Zelensky “one of the great marketeers of all time,” asserting that he had attained a status akin to “a borderline deity, especially to the left.”