Editorial 02.03.25
Sunday’s front pages all run with the same sentiment – Calmer with Starmer – the papers are dominated by pictures of PM Sir Keir Starmer warmly embarrassing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky after his bust-up with Donald Trump at the White House a day before.
The newspapers are united in their support for the prime minister’s calmer approach – than what had been on display from Donald Trump, with several papers (including Trump-supporting papers) suggesting the American President’s state visit should be called off.
‘Calmer with Starmer’ – PM pledges UK’s full support
‘Britain has your back,’ reports the Sunday Mirror.
The Sunday Mirror’s headline reads: “We’ve got your back.” The front page highlights the prime minister’s comment that Ukraine has the UK’s “full support” following the extraordinary “White House row.”
‘Hug of hope – we’ve got your back,’ says the Sunday People.
The Sunday People calls the hug between the pair a “hug of hope” after the clash between Trump and Zelensky left the path to ending the war very unclear. The paper’s sub-heading reads: “You’ve got our backing.”
‘We still love you,’ reports the Sun on Sunday.
“We still love you,” is the Sun newspaper’s message to Zelensky in what the paper calls “highly emotional scenes,” as crowds gathered to cheer his arrival at Downing Street.
Interestingly, the front page coverage of the meeting is slim – and the paper is less obvious in its support for Ukraine on its front page. Instead, the headline reads: “From zero to hero”, saying the Ukrainian president got a hero’s welcome at No 10, compared with his rebuke from Trump.
‘UK determined to stand with Ukraine,’ says The Observer.
The Observer reports that Starmer wanted to display sympathy for Zelensky and took the unusual step of “walking along the pavement to greet him.” Once inside No 10, the prime minister told him the UK had an “absolute determination” to stand with Ukraine.
‘Brits love an underdog as PM tells Zelensky: You are welcome at No 10,’ says The Sunday Telegraph.
The Sunday Telegraph suggests the UK’s support of Ukraine is due to Brits loving an underdog, “especially if he also happens to be a hero.” The paper’s front page makes clear: “You are very welcome at No 10” and shows the PM and Zelensky smiling for the cameras. The paper says the prime minister reassured the Ukrainian president of “our absolute determination to stand with you,’ in comments, the paper notes, in contrast with the heated and wild row that unfolded in the Oval Office in front of the press on Friday.
‘Starmer made nation proud by welcoming Zelensky after US bust-up,’ reports the Sunday Express.
The Daily Express – a right-leaning, pro-Brexit, anti-Labour newspaper- lavishes praise on the prime minister for the way he welcomed Zelensky, saying he “made the nation proud.”
‘Trump’s state visit should be cancelled,’ says the Mail on Sunday.
The Daily Mail has a similar take, suggesting the way Starmer greeted Zelensky is how a hero should be greeted. The paper’s lead story, however, reports that public figures are calling for Trump’s state visit to Britain to be shelved in the wake of his bust-up with Zelensky. Politicians and military leaders say the visit should be put on hold until Trump makes reassurances about Ukraine’s security, the paper adds.
‘Zelensky in emotional place whilst Trump defiant,’ reports The Sunday Times.
The Sunday Times reports on the aftermath of the Trump-Zelensky White House row. The paper says those who listened in to the prime minister’s calls with both leaders say Zelensky was “still in an emotional place” while Trump remained “pretty defiant.”
The paper’s front page pictures Starmer and Zelensky outside No 10, with the caption: “Calmer with Starmer.” The paper’s front page lead story reports that Chancellor Rachel Reeves has announced a multi-billion pound funding package to boost British defence and arm Ukraine. Speaking ahead of a meeting of European leaders today, Reeves says: “A safe and secure Ukraine is a safe and secure United Kingdom”. The funding will put Ukraine in “the strongest possible position”, she adds.