By Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin 
United Kingdom Conservative leader, Kemi Badenoch, has dismissed United States President Donald Trump’s claim that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is a dictator.
In a statement posted on her verified X account on Wednesday, Badenoch affirmed that Zelenskyy was democratically elected, stressing Britain’s unwavering support for Ukraine, both under her leadership and previous Conservative governments.
While defending Zelenskyy, Badenoch acknowledged Trump’s broader point that European countries, including the UK, must take greater responsibility for defence.
She expressed support for increasing Britain’s defence spending and stressed that a fully funded plan to raise it to 2.5% of GDP is already in place, which, according to her, should be the minimum commitment.
Badenoch also criticised British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, urging him to take a more active role in international security discussions.
She called on him to travel to Washington and demonstrate leadership, warning that failure to act decisively on defence could have serious consequences.
The tweet reads, “President Zelenskyy is not a dictator. He is the democratically elected leader of Ukraine who bravely stood up to Putin’s illegal invasion. Under my leadership, and under successive Conservative Prime Ministers, we have and always will stand with Ukraine.
“President Trump is right that Europe needs to pull its weight – and that includes the UK. We need to get serious. The PM will have my support to increase defence spending – there is a fully funded plan to get to 2.5% sitting on his desk. That should be the bare minimum. Starmer should get on with it, get on a plane to Washington, and show some leadership. We cannot afford to get this wrong.”
Badenoch was reacting to a recent exchange between Trump and Zelenskyy. The US president had earlier labeled the Ukrainian leader a dictator.
Trump’s remarks followed Zelenskyy’s assertion that the US president is influenced by Russian disinformation, particularly concerning efforts to conclude the ongoing war in Ukraine on terms favourable to Moscow.