Rod Stewart speaks as he presents the Teaching award during the King's Foundation charity awards at St James' Palace, in central London, on June 11, 2024(Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Rod Stewart's passionate six-word message amid Donald Trump and Zelensky controversy

by · Irish Mirror

Pop icon Rod Stewart has offered his own take on Donald Trump's row with Volodymyr Zelensky - and has heaped praise on British Prime Minster Keir Starmer.

The 'Sailing' singer is a proud supporter of Ukraine, and even faced down boos from some sections of the crowd at a concert in Germany last year when he displayed a photograph of Zelensky on stage. Now, Rod has been among those to notice the stark contrast in how the Ukrainian leader was warmly greeted by the UK's Prime Minister at Number 10 on Saturday, compared to the tirade he was subjected to by Donald Trump in the White House just 24 hours earlier.

Sharing a picture of the two men stood outside Downing Street, he wrote on his Instagram Story: "Proud to be British. Well done Starmer in welcoming Zelensky to the number 10". He rounded it off with the six-word message: "We must keep supporting the Ukrainians".

He is only the latest celebrity to criticise Trump and Vice President JD Vance's scathing treatment of Volodymyr Zelenksy in the Oval Office on Friday. In the hours that followed, Sir Michael Caine reprised his immortal line from The Italian Job when he posted on X (formerly Twitter): "You're only supposed to sign a ceasefire." It was a wry nod to his character's quip in the classic British film, in which he said: "You're only supposed to blow the bloody doors off!"

U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky meet in the Oval Office at the White House on February 28, 202(Image: Getty Images)

Daytime TV host Lorraine Kelly also blasted Trump's apparent mocking of Zelensky wearing military fatigues to the meeting - pointing out that Winston Churchill, a bust of whom is displayed in the Oval Office, had also worn a similar outfit in a visit during World War Two in 1942. She wrote on Instagram: "Winston Churchill at the White House - not wearing a suit because we were at war. The disrespect to President Zelensky throughout was appalling and shameful."

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer welcomes Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to 10 Downing Street, London(Image: PA)

Britain's King Charles welcomed Volodymyr Zelensky to Sandringham yesterday evening, after crunch talks with European leaders to discuss a future Ukraine peace deal concluded, Mirror UK reports. Speaking to the UK Prime Minister on Saturday, he thanked the people of Britain for their support and added: "I'm very happy that His Majesty the King accepted my meeting tomorrow, and I'm thankful that you organised such great summit for tomorrow."

King Charles and Zelensky first met at Buckingham Palace back in February 2023, and spoke again at Blenheim Palace last summer during the European Political Community summit.

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